24. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Agriculture what steps the Government are taking to ensure that farmers can obtain the necessary credit facilities or cash to enable them to purchase feeding-stuffs to maintain the livestock they possess on their farms?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithMy hon. Friend will appreciate that there are bound to be initial difficulties in the adjustment of business to war conditions. It is, however, to be anticipated that both the credit and the cash position of farmers will improve now that they will have a guaranteed market and prices for as much of any of the staple commodities as they can produce on their farms.
Mr. De la BèreDoes my right hon. and gallant Friend realise that this should have been done in peace time, and that in war time it is vitally necessary that farmers should be able to purchase the necessary feeding stuffs for their cattle if they are to make an effective contribution to the national needs?
§ Mr. MacquistenWill the Minister make representations to the banks to give credit?
§ Mr. T. WilliamsWould it not be preferable for the Government to have their own credit scheme instead of allowing farmers to increase their indebtedness to the banks?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithThat raises a very wide question.