§ 47. Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has now considered the difficulties of allotment holders respecting the high price of seed and the discouragement this gives them; and whether he is taking steps or is encouraging schemes by which allotment holders can secure seed at reasonable prices related to their small incomes?
Mr. HudsonNow that many of our normal sources of supply of vegetable seed are cut off, some increase in price is inevitable, but I am keeping the matter under close review. Having regard to the comparatively small quantities of seed required for an allotment, these increases should not seriously discourage the allotment holder. Allotment societies affiliated to the National Allotment Society can in fact obtain supplies of seed for their members on special terms, and Local Authorities can take advantage of Section 21 of the Land Settlement (Facilities) Act, 1919, which empowers them to provide seeds at cost price to allotment holders where there are no adequate facilities for purchasing from a society on a co-operative basis.
§ Mr. SorensenThe right hon. Gentleman will appreciate that it is precisely through the concern of local authorities and allotment associations that this matter has been raised. In fact, several local authorities are most anxious regarding the high price of seed for allotment growers.
Mr. HudsonThe facts of the matter are that in peace-time large quantities of seed are received from Holland, Hungary, Italy and Morocco, and all those sources are cut off. Almost our only source of supply is now the United States, where last year they had a very bad seed harvest. Prices in the United States have risen considerably and I am afraid it is inevitable that they should rise here, but there is no reason why local authorities should not take advantage of the facilities that exist in order to provide seed at cost price.