§ 54. Mr. Willeyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why the loans made by the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation for improvement of fixed equipment have fallen from £391,000 in 1955–56 to £278,000 in 1957–58.
§ Mr. John HareThe Agricultural Mortgage Corporation informs me that it received fewer applications for loans specifically for improvements to fixed equipment in 1957–58. As the hon. Member will know, I said on the Second Reading of the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation Bill that approaches for finance for these purposes have so far not been as many as I should have hoped. I hope that farmers will realise the facilities that the Corporation and also the Lands Improvement Company are prepared to offer in this connection.