Captain SHAWasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that great inconvenience and loss is being caused to farmers in Forfarshire and Scotland generally through the shortage of railway grain sacks; and what steps will be taken to provide immediate facilities to enable farmers in Scotland to market the grain and potatoes which they have produced in response to urgent Government appeals for increased food production?
§ Mr. MUNROI am informed by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland that during the past summer they conferred with the Scottish railway companies and arranged for large additions being made to the existing stocks of sacks. This arrangement has been carried into effect. The Board are keeping in touch with the railway companies, and meantime are willing to take up specific complaints. Several such complaints are at present being dealt with. Where a railway company is unable to supply sucks, farmers are being referred to a private sack-hiring company, who have considerable stocks for hire.