§ 55. Sir W. Smilesasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that manufacturers of rotary hoes cannot promise delivery to market gardeners in this country even in nine months; and, in view of the necessity of growing more food in the United Kingdom, what steps he is taking to arrange that the necessary tools are made available to the producers.
Mr. T. WilliamsThere are rotary hoes which can be obtained within some two to three months, but I assume that the hon. and gallant Member refers to a particular type which has only recently gone into production. This machine has attracted a great deal of interest, and there is consequently a considerable volume of orders to be met. My Department has given every assistance to the manufacturers, who are arranging to increase production as rapidly as possible. The delivery time should be considerably shortened as production gets into its stride.