§ Sir T. Mooreasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that there are now some 50,000 tractors in use on British farms, arrangements can be introduced to provide courses for farm-workers in the management and maintenance of the machinery involved?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonA number of county authorities for agricultural education are providing, or are taking steps to provide, instruction of this nature. I have recently called the attention of all such authorities to the importance of this matter, and a special instructors' course has been arranged for members of their staffs.
§ Sir T. Mooreasked the Minister of Agriculture what is the present estimated annual consumption of hydrocarbon oil by farm tractors in Great Britain; and whether he is satisfied that arrangements have been made to safeguard and increase these supplies in the event of an emergency, so that adequate supplies shall be available for this purpose?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonThe consumption of hydrocarbon oil by farm tractors in Great Britain is estimated at about 45 million gallons per annum. In the Government's plans for securing adequate supplies of oil for essential services in time of emergency account has been taken of the increased requirements of the agricultural industry.