§ Mr. ELLIS DAVIESasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the difficulty experienced by small farmers in obtaining credit and of the failure and neglect of county councils to form credit banks under the Small Holdings Act, he will consider the desirability of appointing a Committee to consider what further steps, if any, should be taken by Parliament with a view to the establishment of agricultural banks?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYThe Board will be glad to consider the suggestion made by my hon. Friend, but I may say that full information as to the proper procedure for the establishment of a credit bank can be obtained from the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies or from the Secretary of the Agricultural Organisation Society, and that a Central Co-operative Bank is in existence for the purpose of financing local credit societies. If my hon. Friend has reason to believe that the circumstances are favourable to the establishment of a Credit Bank in any particular locality we will gladly see that any necessary assistance is given.