50. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider inviting the leading bankers to confer with representative farming bodies with a view to securing a more effective short-term credit scheme?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on Thursday, 16th November, to my hon. Friend the Member for Devizes (Sir P. Hurd), to which at present I have nothing to add.
Mr. De la BèreDoes not my right hon. and gallant Friend realise the perpetual vacillation which has occurred in these matters? Does he not realise the 242 fact that these gaps have existed in the short-term credit system for farmers, and that they must be dealt with now and cannot be put off year after year? It is an absolute scandal.
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithI think the hon. Member will agree that if you are to have a meeting a certain amount of preparatory work is necessary.
Mr. De la BèreWhy cannot the right hon. and gallant Gentleman have the farmers down to the House of Commons and tell them what should be done?
51. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, with a view to filling up the gaps and affording some solution and contribution to a successful agricultural policy, both in war and peace, he will consider creating and supporting an organisation for the express purpose of catering for farmers making small purchases, who are handicapped in their efforts to increase the production of food, and who, by reason of the lack of alternatives, have to pay high interest charges?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithI would remind my hon. Friend that a number of existing organisations, including farmers' cooperative societies, are equipped to supply the needs of farmers who make small purchases. Perhaps, however, he will send me further particulars of the type of organisation he has in mind.
Mr. De la BèreDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that these hire-purchase institutions charge far too high a rate of interest for the facilities they give, and will he look into that matter?
§ Mr. W. RobertsIs the Minister aware that the absence of credit at reasonable rates is impeding the whole process of his ploughing-up campaign; and that farmers have not got sufficient to pay for the implements which are necessary?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithOne realises that there is a great problem in regard to the giving of credit. It is not a simple one, as anybody who has studied the matter is aware, but we are doing all we can to find a way through.
§ Mr. MacLarenWas there a credit bank in the Garden of Eden?