HC Deb 24 April 1939 vol 346 cc769-70
25. Mr. De la Bère

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he proposes to guarantee or to give some access to finance to farmers to enable them to buy raw material for feeding-stuffs for poultry and cattle, wheat and maize; and whether he will bring in legislation to provide for existing mills processing this raw material at a reasonable charge?

Sir R. Dorman-Smith

I am not satisfied that the ordinary channels of trade are failing to provide farmers with adequate supplies of feeding-stuffs for cattle and poultry at reasonable prices. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

Mr. De la Bère

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that bakers are to have a subsidy on every additional sack of flour they house on their premises; and why cannot the farmers have a similar subsidy on every additional sack of feeding-stuffs for poultry and cattle housed on their premises? Does not the whole thing seem to be profoundly unsatisfactory?