HC Deb 28 July 1949 vol 467 cc2653-4
50. Mr. Hurd

asked the Minister of Agriculture what provision has been made for an adequate supply of sacks to meet the needs of farmers using combine harvesters who have to market their grain immediately; and what advice he can give to farmers in the Southern counties who are unable to obtain all the sacks they require.

Mr. T. Williams

My Department offered two-bushel hessian sacks to all known owners of combine harvesters to augment the supply of the larger sack obtained on hire from the railways and the usual sack hire firms. All farmers who ordered hessian sacks from the Minister have been supplied, but owing to the unusually early harvest there is an abnormal last minute demand. I have, therefore, made arrangements for a further supply of hessian sacks and farmers who wish to buy them should communicate either with my Department or their county agricultural executive committee.

Mr. Hurd

I am sure that farmers in the Southern counties will welcome that action of the Minister, but could he help them further by getting the Minister of Food to co-operate in so far as he may have spare sacks available which can be put to use with these combine harvesters?

Mr. Williams

I suppose that if my Department have not sufficient sacks, and the Ministry of Food have some, they will be readily available.