56. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in connection with the new prices for farm produce and the provision and extension of essential credit facilities by the banks, he will confer with the bankers concerned with a view to the interest charges on these advances and overdrafts not exceeding 3 per cent., in view of the present Bank Rate of 2 per cent., and the need to obtain the maximum output from the farms?
Mr. De la BèreWill my right hon. Friend confer with the Chancellor of the Exchequer? Does he not realise that this 1005 question of charges by the banks of 5 per cent. on overdrafts is one on which some concession must be made? It is quite useless to give this sort of answer, and in view of the thoroughly unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I shall raise the matter at the earliest possible moment on the Motion for the Adjournment. It is an absolute scandal.