§ 14. Colonel Gomme-Duncanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to reduce the losses on the agricultural trading services of his Department.
§ Mr. SnaddenThe trading services of the Department of Agriculture relate to labour, machinery and the farming and management of agricultural land. My hon. and gallant Friend has put down separate Questions on each of these services, and I shall endeavour to answer each of them fully.
§ 15. Colonel Gomme-Duncanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to reduce the losses on the agricultural machinery services of his Department.
§ Mr. SnaddenThe demand from farmers for these services has fallen in recent years. The services have been withdrawn from certain areas, and elsewhere operating staffs and machinery have been reduced to the minimum capable of dealing with the amount of work offered. Charges to farmers have been increased to meet the rising costs of wages and materials, The scope and strength of the services are under constant review. The net deficit fell from £161,636 for 1950 to 1951 to £106,825 for 1951 to 1952.
§ 16. Colonel Gomme-Duncanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to reduce the losses on the agricultural labour services of his Department.
§ Mr. SnaddenThe pool labour force employed by the Department of Agriculture for hiring to farmers was disbanded at 31st December, 1952. This will effect a substantial saving.
§ Mr. WoodburnIs the hon. Gentleman not aware that these Questions are an indication of the poor thanks the farming community give to the State for the subsidies which are being given them in the way of labour and machinery to help them to do their job?
§ Colonel Gomme-DuncanIs my hon. Friend aware that these Questions were put down in the interests of the national economy, which is of no interest whatever to the Socialist Party.