10. Mr. De la Béreasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider introducing a scheme, as a war-time measure, for granting credit facilities to farmers through the big banking organisations, whereby the Government guaranteed the farmers indebtedness to the big banking organisations, which would enable farmers to borrow money at 3 per cent. with a view to assisting them in carrying on and increasing production from the farms throughout the country?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithWhile I fully appreciate the need for adequate credit 8 in connection with the campaign for increasing home food production and have the matter under consideration, I could not see my way to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.
Mr. De la BéreIs my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that production is being curtailed owing to the lack of credit facilities, and that where they are available usurious rates of interest are being charged? Is it not the fact that the whole of this thing would have been cleared up but for certain unenlightened Treasury officials, and is it not an absolute scandal that nothing is being done?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithMy hon. Friend is probably aware that some such scheme as he has in mind was in operation during the last war, and was not satisfactory.