150. Mr. Vaneasked the Minister of Agriculture whether it is the policy of his Department to encourage farmers to become owner-occupiers.
§ Mr. CollickMy right hon. Friend does not think that it would be wise to take182W active steps to encourage farmers to become owner-occupiers. Experience after the 1914–18 war showed that many farmers who bought their own holdings became badly encumbered by debt and as a result had insufficient working capital available to farm efficiently. In his view the money available to farmers would generally be more usefully employed in providing sound livestock, up-to-date agricultural machinery and other equipment necessary for good farming.