§ 52. Sir John Mellorasked the Minister of Agriculture why some Warwickshire farmers who had purchased combined harvesters, were refused permission to purchase driers also; and what drying facilities will be available to them for the 1943 harvest?
§ Mr. T. WilliamsThere are not enough driers to enable an allocation to 2448 be made to each purchaser of a combine harvester. Centralised drying facilities were expected to be available to certain Warwickshire farmers. Unavoidable delay has unfortunately occurred in the completion of the central plant, but the Ministry of Food have undertaken to make alternative arrangements for the acceptance of the milling grain from the farms concerned.
§ Sir J. MellorCan my right hon. Friend throw any light upon the muddle in regard to the instruction about the Stratford-on-Avon drying plant?
§ Mr. WilliamsI understand that there was no muddle at all: it was a question of labour and the difficulties connected with erection. I can assure my hon. Friend that, in connection with the nine farmers whom he has in mind, steps have been taken to deal with the grain once it is harvested.