§ 39. Sir H. Morris-Jonesasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any proposals in view for improving credit facilities for farmers?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonAs regards longterm credit, I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given to my hon. Friend the Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère) on 8th July, 1937, and my hon. Friend the Member for Lincoln (Mr. Liddall) on 3rd December, 1936. In regard to short-term credit, as I have previously stated in the House, I understand that the question is under consideration by the National Farmers' Union, but that up to the present they have not been in a position to submit a proposal in detail.
Mr. De la BèreIs my right hon. Friend aware of what the Treasury did in December, 1935? Is he aware that they lent the four main line railways £26,500,000 at 2½ per cent. interest, guaranteed as to principal and interest? Why cannot agriculture have the same?