§ 50. Mr. Crouchasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of the capacity of Recommissioned Mills was used by farmers for the 1953 and 1954 harvest.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Harmar Nicholls)The grain-drying plant operated by Recommissioned Mills Ltd. handled during the harvest period of 1953, by a special intensive effort, about 30 per cent more grain than its theoretical capacity under normal conditions. In the 1954 harvest period 40 per cent. of the capacity was used. Conditions in the two years were not, however, comparable because of the different arrangements for guaranteeing the price of home-grown grain to the farmer.
§ Mr. CrouchMay I ask my hon. Friend whether, in view of the small amount of use that was made last year of these mills, his right hon. Friend would encourage farmers to make more use of these driers?
§ Mr. H. NichollsNo, Sir. I do not think that my right hon. Friend would agree to that. The economic place to dry and store grain, as my hon. Friend will know, is on the farm, and the figures given to him reflect to a large extent the efforts which farmers have already made to do that.