HC Deb 21 February 1938 vol 332 c21
41. Mr. De la Bère

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now in a position to state what further steps the Government propose to take to enable the farmers to borrow money at a low rate of interest in order to assist them to develop and increase land fertility?

Mr. W. S. Morrison

Assistance by the Government for the development and increase of land fertility is being furnished under the provisions of the Agriculture Act, 1937. With regard to the general question of credit, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers given to him on 15th June and 8th July.

Mr. De la Bère

Is the Minister aware that the charges made to the agricultural borrower by some of the so-called commercial banks and finance houses in this country amount to over 12 per cent.; and does he not think it is time that the agricultural borrower had some better assistance than these facilities?

Mr. Morrison

I hope that my hon. Friend will give me such information as he possesses to justify the statement he has made.

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