HC Deb 05 July 1948 vol 453 cc27-8
52. Mr. Hurd

asked the Minister of Agriculture what arrangements have been made to ensure a greatly increased output of ploughshares during the next two months, in preparation for the autumn ploughing season.

Mr. G. Brown

The main sources of supply of Ransome type shares are producing nearly three times what they were a year ago, and still further production is expected shortly. The other type of share that was scarcest last year was the imported Cockshutt; this share is now being made here. Production of most other types of shares has also increased since last year, and the manufacturers are generally satisfied that they will be able to meet the demands of autumn ploughing.

Mr. Hurd

But how does it happen that the farmer who wants ploughshares today has to go from one store to another, and that retailers are not being able to build up any stock against the autumn demand?

Mr. Brown

There is some evidence that farmers are ordering very heavily because of the experience they have had, which means that despite this enormously increased production merchants are finding it difficult to build up stocks. I would appeal to farmers not to hoard supplies; it would help things considerably if they would not do that.

Sir Ralph Glyn

Will the Minister look into the distribution of ploughshares? In some parts of the country they simply do not exist, and in consequence a great many ploughs are out of action. It may be that the distribution is at fault.

Mr. Brown

My right hon. Friend has already promised—and I repeat it now—to look into any difficulty if given the particulars.