§ Mr. Malcolm MacMillanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the suggestion of the National Farmers' Union and Chamber of Agriculture for Scotland in their letter to him, of 31st December, that, in view of the increasing difficulty in obtaining agricultural implement parts, a number of factories and foundries should be expressly reserved for agricultural needs; and what steps he intends to take, jointly with other Ministries and interests concerned, to this end?
§ Mr. E. BrownYes, Sir. I can assure the hon. Member that the importance of maximum production of agricultural machinery is fully appreciated. Arrangements are already in operation whereby the productive capacity of firms engaged wholly or partly in the manufacture of agricultural machinery can, where necessary, be expressly reserved for such manufacture.