HC Deb 23 November 1948 vol 458 c1066
29. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what study is being made by his Department of recent inventions of new types of mechanised agricultural machinery in the U.S.A. with a view to their introduction into Scotland.

Mr. Woodburn

My Department, through the agricultural machinery station in Midlothian, are in close touch with machinery experimental stations in U.S.A. If an American machine is thought to be suitable for use in Scotland, arrangements are made to import it for trial purposes. If my hon. Friend has some particular machinery in mind, perhaps he will let me know.

Mr. Hughes

Will the right hon. Gentleman use his persuasive powers with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to see that some of this machinery comes over as part of our Marshall Aid? Will he also ask for priority to be given to the agricultural machinery demand?

Mr. Woodburn

If the hon. Member will let us know to what machinery he refers, we shall see that the matter is taken into consideration.