HC Deb 25 November 1952 vol 508 cc230-1
5. Mr. Bence

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking Ito assure adequate credit facilities to Highland farmers.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. McNair Snadden)

The same credit facilities are available to Highland farmers as to other farmers, and my right hon. Friend has no reason to believe that they are inadequate. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has stated that he has taken steps to make it clear to the banks that in applying their advances policy, they should give full weight to the vital importance of agricultural production.

Mr. Bence

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a farmer in Inverness-shire has failed to get bank credit facilities for the development of his farm in the last six months, and is still trying to get those facilities and is refused them? Will the hon. Gentleman see that this farmer is granted the necessary bank advance to increase food production on his farm?

Mr. Snadden

I have already stated that the Chancellor has taken steps to make it clear to the banks what his policy is, that is to give credit where at all possible for production purposes. If a person cannot put up some sort of security that is a matter for the banks, but we have made our policy clear in terms of production.

Mr. Bence

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this particular farmer has a farm of 350 acres which is not mortgaged to any one? Is that not good enough security for a bank credit in order to develop the farm?