§ 53. Mr. G. Williamsasked the Minister of Agriculture what scheme he has to help finance British farmers to purchase fertilisers.
§ Sir T. DugdaleThe Fertilisers (England, Wales and Scotland) Scheme, 1952, offers farmers a substantial contribution towards the cost of nitrogenous and phosphatic fertilisers and the Agricultural Lime Schemes offer a contribution of 50 per cent. of the delivered cost of agricultural lime. In addition, fertilisers are included among the farm requisites which may be supplied to farmers on credit terms under the Agricultural Goods and Services Scheme.
§ Mr. WilliamsWill the Minister arrange with agricultural executive committees to buy fertilisers for cash, thus getting the discount, and then to hand the fertilisers on to the farmer, and get their money repaid when the farmer has reaped his crop? That would not cost the Ministry anything, but would be a great advantage to farmers.
§ Sir T. DugdaleThat goes far beyond the scope of the Question on the Order Paper, but I would tell the House that the present fertiliser scheme is working very well.