§ 44. Mr. Hoosonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will set up a study group to consider the feasibility of setting up a national land bank on a basis of publicly providing finance, specifically geared to help the smaller farmer and new entrants into the farming industry.
§ Mr. StrangI have at present no plans to do so. In addition to the major role played by the main clearing banks, small farmers can benefit from Ministry grants and from free guarantees provided by the Agricultural Credit Corporation for expenditure on approved Farm and Horticulture Development Scheme plans. Newcomers wishing to purchase agricultural land have access to the facilities of the 331W Agricultural Mortgage Corporation in the usual way.