HC Deb 14 February 1957 vol 564 cc1440-1
55. Mr. G. Jeger

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress is being made in the encouragement of greater efficiency and economy by the standardisation of spare parts in farm machinery.

Mr. Amory

The British Standards Institution has issued twelve standards for tractors and agricultural machinery which have been adopted by many manufacturers. Work on other standards is proceeding.

Mr. Jeger

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the work is proceeding exceedingly slowly and that many farmers are verb worried about the fact that there is no standardisation, even in simple things like nuts and bolts.

Mr. Amory

I agree with the hon. Member that one is always hoping for faster progress in matters of this kind, but there is the Agricultural Machinery and Implements Industry Standards Committee which has been studying this matter and has produced the results to which I have referred. Therefore, there is some progress all the time, but I am assured that there are very great technical difficulties. I, too, wish progress were faster.