§ 59. Mr. Baldwinasked the Minister of Agriculture what incident or consideration led the Ministry of Agriculture to broadcast a warning to farmers that linseed had been mixed with flaxseed.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsNo such warning has been given. For last year's crop, as part of the flood emergency programme, seed had to be collected at very short notice and some lots were not pure samples. For the 1948 crop, farmers have been expected to use only first quality seed, of which plenty is available this' year.
§ Mr. BaldwinIs the Minister aware that on two separate occasions last spring the hon. and gallant Gentleman the junior Member for Antrim (Major Haughton) called his attention to the fact that there was a danger of seed being mixed, to which the right hon. Gentleman replied that there was no fear of that at all. Is the Minister going to compensate those farmers who received seeds of two different varieties.
§ Mr. WilliamsThe first part of the supplementary question is obviously very different from the Question on the Order Paper. I have already stated that there is an ample supply of quality seed for all farmers who desire to sow linseed this year.
§ Mr. BaldwinWill the Minister take steps to see that no mistakes are made in the issue of seed this year?
§ Mr. WilliamsIf farmers apply to the merchants who have the right kind of seed, no mistake will be made.