§ 65. Mr. Frank Byersasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will state the number of priority orders for tractors which have been granted by W.A.E.C.s during the last 18 months; and how many of those granted over 12 months ago have not yet resulted in the farmer obtaining a tractor.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsI regret that this information is not available without special inquiry, but the great majority of tractors produced in this country are delivered to farmers within six months of the committee's approval.
§ Mr. ByersIs it not a grave reflection on the Ministry of Agriculture that there is no system of continuous review to see if the farmers are getting the tractors they require? Will the right hon. Gentleman take some steps to give service to the farmers?
§ Mr. WilliamsIt cannot possibly be a reflection on the Ministry, because these reviews constantly take place.
§ Sir Ralph GlynWill the Minister make a survey of the number of tractors laid up for lack of spare parts?
§ Mr. WilliamsI do not see the point of making a survey. We know that for want of spare parts there are, unfortunately, far too many American machines laid up which were imported during the course of the war, but as the hon. Member will be aware, we have done our level best to try to provide the spare parts, for all those tractors.
§ Sir R. GlynIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that many hon. Members will support him in representations to the Ministry of Supply and the Treasury in order to obtain these spare parts before the harvest?
§ Mr. WilliamsI can assure the hon. Gentleman that there is no shortage of dollars for this purpose. It is a question of American manufacture, plus trade disputes, and the dislocation which has occurred has prevented us from meeting our needs.