48. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, as distinct from the Government grant for ploughing-up, the Government will consider granting credit facilities to farmers of £5 per acre to carry farmers over that period of time necessary before they can sell their crops from the newly ploughed-up land?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithI regret that I cannot see my way to adopt the suggestion put forward by my hon. Friend.
Mr. De la B èreIs my right hon. and gallant Friend aware, over the whole question of these credits, of the stupifying absurdity of this perpetual vacillation downward, backward, and sideways, but never forward?
§ 55. Colonel Sir Edward Ruggles-Briseasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that many smallholders and crofters are not in a position to plough up the minimum of two acres of old grassland which would qualify them to receive the Government grant of £2 per acre; and what action he proposes to take to assist these smallholders to make their contribution towards increasing the national food supply?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithThe Government has decided to invite Parliament to reduce to one acre the minimum acreage for the Government grant under Part IV of the Agricultural Development Act, 1939. Provision for this reduction will be made in legislation applying to the whole of the United Kingdom which it is hoped to introduce very shortly.