§ 15. Mr. Willeyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation has taken to speed up the procedure for granting loans for the improvement of fixed equipment.
§ Mr. John HareThe Corporation has done much to publicise its facilities to the farming community. It has issued new leaflets to local bankers, describing its facilities, so that applicants can follow the required procedure in submitting their proposals and has also set up a special telephone service to deal with urgent applications. I am not aware of instances of any avoidable delay in dealing with applications for loans for the improvement of fixed equipment. If the hon. Gentleman has any particular case in mind, perhaps he will let me know.
§ Mr. WilleyI am greatly obliged to the right hon. Gentleman for the steps he is taking. However, will he not agree that disappointingly little use has been made of the Corporation for this type of loan? Will he continue to see that the utmost publicity is given to its facilities?
§ Mr. HareI shall be delighted if the hon. Gentleman puts down Questions on the subject from time to time so that we can mutually get publicity for the facilities which the Corporation can offer.
§ Mr. WilleyI shall be happy to oblige the right hon. Gentleman.