HC Deb 10 March 1924 vol 170 cc1970-2W
Sir W. SUTHERLAND

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether protests have been received against the condition imposed by the Board of Agriculture requiring that seed potatoes and oats supplied under the Government assisted scheme must be paid for in advance; and whether, seeing that this is an unnecessary requirement which, if insisted on, will create serious hardship, he will, in order to meet the case of those who are willing to pay for the seeds without any assistance from the various funds but who have not the necessary money available at the moment, make arrangements for the payment being received in instalments?

Mr. ADAMSON

Protests have been received against the condition that seed must be paid for in advance. I should explain, however, that under the arrangements that have been made and intimated to parish councils those crofters who are unable to pay in advance the price of 6s. per cwt. for seed may under arrangements made with the Highland Distress Committee apply to the Local Distress Relief Committee, who, if they approve the application, will issue to the applicant (so far as their funds permit) a credit slip to the value of any deficiency that the Committee are satisfied that the applicant is unable to meet. This credit slip after presentation to the parish council will be accepted by the Board in lieu of cash. I am advised that these arrangements should satisfactorily meet the circumstances, and in view of the many difficulties involved, I do not desire to institute a system of payment by instalments.

Sir W. SUTHERLAND

asked the Secretary for Scotland what steps are being taken to ascertain the needs of the various distressed areas in the Highlands and islands with regard to seed potatoes and oats, and to secure that a sufficient supply of seeds will be available in good time for all crofters who require them?

Mr. ADAMSON

As already announced, arrangements have been made to supply seed to necessitous crofters at the rate of 6s. per cwt. The Board of Agriculture for Scotland advertised that they were open to receive from merchants and others up to 7th instant tenders for the supply of seed. The Board have also informed the parish councils in the crofting areas of the arrangements that have been made and have requested that the requirements of each parish be reported as soon as possible after 12th instant.