§ 52. Mr. Collinsasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware of the loss of production likely to result from the rapid curtailment or closing down of county agricultural committee machinery pools; and if he will consider maintaining loose implement depots under proper supervision in areas where the need can be proved.
Mr. T. WilliamsIn the interests of efficiency and economy county agricultural executive committees are under instructions to confine their machinery service to what is necessary for essential work that cannot be done in any other way. Suitable depots are being maintained accordingly where they are still needed.
§ Mr. CollinsIs my right hon. Friend aware that farmers in a small way of 1319 business cannot remain in arable production unless they have this kind of assistance?. Would he give particular attention to marginal land areas where it is very important that a service of this kind should be continued?
Mr. WilliamsThe object of the machinery service is to do the essential work that cannot be done in any other way, particularly for the really small man.
§ Mr. TurtonWhat steps have been taken to encourage private business to set up in agricultural contracting where the committees are willing to sell their machinery to such contractors?
Mr. WilliamsI have addressed myself to this problem at public meetings, where I have invited the machinery contractors to take over in places where the county agricultural committee pool has been discontinued.