§ Mr. MacGregorasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list such arrangements as exist in other EEC countries for providing short-term loans or working capital to farmers at below commercial rates of interest, and also the arrangements for the provision of longer-term loans and mortgages, equivalent to the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation, together with the rates of interest being charged.
§ Mr. BishopIn the time available it is not possible to obtain the information requested except at disproportionate cost and without guarantee of accuracy. Information on interest rates available to farmers elsewhere in the European Community may be found, however, in evidence recently submitted by the Ministry to the Public Accounts Committee (Third Report, 1975, Appendix XI) and I am sending the hon. Member a copy.