HL Deb 16 April 1947 vol 146 cc1050-2WA

EARL DE LA WARR asked His Majesty's Government:

  1. (a) How many tractors were exported during 1946,
  2. (b) The number of applications from farms for permits for tractors that have been refused by C.A.E.Cs. and the number of applicants to whom permits have been granted and who have been waiting for more than six months for delivery,
  3. (c) The total: estimated monthly production of:
    1. (i) Tractors,
    2. (ii) Combines,
    3. (iii) Binders,
    4. (iv) Potato lifters,
    5. (v) Mowing machines,
    6. (vi) Swathe turners,
    7. (vii) Side rakes,
    in this country for the remainder of this year,
  4. (d) The number of dried grass plants in operation in 1946, how many will be installed during (i) 1947 and (ii) 1948; whether they are satisfied with these numbers, and what steps they are taking to assist manufacturers to increase their production,
  5. (e) The estimated number of new combined harvesters, and potato lifters, that will be available for the 1947 crop, and how do these estimates compare with the number of these machines available during the 1946 harvest, and
  6. (f) What steps are being taken to encourage the manufacture of machinery that has hitherto come from abroad?

THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES (THE EARL OF HUNTINGDON)

(a) 12,970 tractors of all kinds, including small market garden types, were exported in 1946. This was. about 28 per cent. of total production.

(b) Imported tractors and the larger home-produced tractors are still distributed on a quota system. As consignments of imported tractors arrive, they are allocated in accordance with county quotas, and county war agriculture executive committees then consider the applications already in their hands in the light of current farming needs. Consequently applications finally approved correspond to the number of tractors immediately available, and any remaining applications are held in suspense. Similarly, where home-produced tractors are distributed on county quota, the number of applications approved by committees corresponds to the number of tractors expected to be available within the quota period.

Most home-produced tractors are not now subject to the county quota system, but only to committee approval, which is generally forthcoming. The time between approval of an application and delivery of these tractors varies according to make, but for most tractors of standard types it is at present about six months. Information as to the precise number of approved applicants who have been waiting longer is not available. In order to assist approved applicants whose need is specially urgent, a system of priority delivery is in operation.

(c) The following are the monthly averages of the total production programmes for the production year, 1st October, 1946, to 30th September, 1947; but production difficulties are expected to prevent the full programmes from being completed, though it is not possible at present to say how far they may fall short.

Monthly average of total production programme.
(i) Tractors of all kinds 8,000
(ii) Combined harvesters 50
(iii) Binders*
(iv) Potato lifters (spinner and chain elevator diggers) 770
(v) Mowing machines 1,300
(vi) Swathe turners 400
(vii) Swathe turners and side rakes combined† 800
* Production is confined almost entirely to one firm and it is regretted, therefore, that the information cannot be given without revealing the firm's business.
† Programmes do not generally distinguish side rakes separately from the combined machines.

(d) It is estimated that about 300 dried grass plants were in operation in 1946. It is expected that 77 will be made in time for the 1947 crop, compared with 60 in 1946. The number to be made in 1948 will depend upon materials and facilities available, but should be substantially larger than in 1947. The number expected to be available for 1947 is the most that can be supplied in present circumstances, and should make a useful contribution to the best use of the grass crop. Manufacture will continue to be encouraged so far as materials, supplies, and other facilities allow.

(e) It is estimated that the number of new combine harvesters that will be available for the 1947 harvest will be about 1,350, and of new potato spinners and chain elevator diggers, about 8,000. The estimated number of combined harvesters on farms in Great Britain during the 1946 harvest was approximately 3,800, and of potato spinners and chain elevator diggers about 69,000.

(f) Both British and overseas firms are being encouraged to start manufacture in this country of machines of types previously imported, and facilities for the purpose include the allocation and extension of factories, assistance in obtaining machine tools, the importation of production parts to speed up initial output, and the supply of controlled materials. As a result of these steps, production of crawler tractors and combined harvesters has been started and is being developed as rapidly as possible. Production of other tractors is being very greatly expanded, so that imports are now limited to a few special types only. Production of tractor ploughs and other cultivating machinery, potato elevator diggers and farm manure spreaders, is being undertaken on a scale that makes it no longer necessary to import; and the production of binders and mowers has been increased. Development of other more recently introduced machines, such as one-man pick-up balers and sugar beet harvesters, is being encouraged, and it is hoped that in due course substantial supplies will be available from manufacture in this country.

House adjourned at twenty minutes past three o'clock.