§ Mr. de Freitasasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that during the past year the bankruptcy rate of farmers rose more steeply than that of any other profession or business; and what plans he has for developing a more prosperous and efficient agricultural industry.
Mr. AmoryThe latest published figures are for 1955 and show a greater proportionate increase among farmers, as compared with the previous year, than in other major industrial groups. But the rate of bankruptcies among farmers fortunately remains low—less than one per thousand. The Government's proposals for promoting the development of a prosperous and efficient agricultural industry were stated in the White Paper entitled "Long Term Assurances for 211W Agriculture" issued in November of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.