asked the Minister of Agriculture what progress has been made in repairing the damage to Fen banks during the past two months; and when repair work will begin in the Lakenheath Great Fen area.

I assume that the hon. and gallant Member is referring to embankments in the River Great Ouse Catching Area. The Catchment Board has let contracts amounting to over £150,000 for the restoration and, in some cases, improvement of damaged embankments. In addition, they are employing directly some 500 men, 40 dragline excavators and ancillary plant on other rehabilitation works. The assembly of plant began in the Lakenheath Fen last month, and rehabilitation work started early this month.

How quickly does the right hon. Gentleman expect that progress to be made in the Lakenheath area? The months ahead of us in which work can be done are very few, and by last week there were no machines working in that area at all.

I understand work was started on this in the early part of this month.

Is the Minister aware that the contractors working on the 100 ft. river are finding difficulty in getting their barges afloat; and will he look into the possibility of getting floating dredgers in order to ensure that the barges can be used?

As the hon. and gallant Member must know, we are very willing to give all the assistance we can, by equipment or, indeed, anything else. If any shortcoming is made known to us we will certainly try to help.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the present period in delay of delivery of new farm tractors in the South Buckinghamshire area.

This varies considerably, according to the make and type of tractor and the distribution arrangements. I am not aware of any exceptional delays in the South Buckinghamshire area.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that some farmers in my constituency have found that the delay is as long as a year; and will he take steps to see if it cannot be speeded up?

There is a shortage, of course, and I can assure my hon. Friend that we are doing our best to meet the need where the need is greatest. If any case in the county of Buckinghamshire, or anywhere else, is brought to our notice we will certainly try to help, consistent with available supplies.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what arrangements he has made for maintaining in full agricultural use Casetractors, which are now standing idle owing to lack of tyres.

My Department have taken up with the Board of Trade the problem of increasing the supply of tyres for replacement purposes. In the meantime, special steps are taken to assist in the provision of tyres wherever it is brought to the notice of my Department that tractors are immobilised, or likely to be immobilised in the near future, for lack of tyres.

If I bring a case to the notice of the Minister, will he see that the spare tyres are supplied now, when the harvest is getting under way?

We are always willing to look at any case which is brought to our notice.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if, in the special review of farm produce prices now required to meet prospective increases in farm wages, full weight will be given in fixing new prices for each product to the increased costs that will be borne by that product.

If the Agricultural Wages Board confirm the proposed increase in wages, the procedure for a special review will be that described in the statement accompanying my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for King's Lynn (Major Wise) on 21st November last.

Does the Minister's reply mean that every farmer, large and small, will be recompensed fully for the increased wages he will be required to pay?

No, Sir, I did not say anything of the kind, but referred to the statement made on 21st November.

Is the Minister aware that the uncertainty being created in the minds of all producers, pending the result of the special review, is having a very bad effect on the industry as a whole? Is the Minister satisfied that there will not be a large drop in production as a result of this adjustment in the middle of the cropping year?

I should have thought that the sympathy and practical help the Government have given to the industry, during the past seven or eight months, ought to satisfy them that there is no need for anxiety on their part. I can assure the House, as and when the time comes, that the same beneficent treatment will be meted out.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he has taken note of the increase in the number of calves slaughtered from 1,004,384 in 1941–42, to 1,441,889, in 1946–47; and if he intends to take any action to encourage the rearing of more calves for beef production

I am aware of the increase in the numbers of calves slaughtered, although this is not inconsistent with the increase during the same period in the total cattle population. Various measures are already in operation to encourage farmers to rear more calves, but I am examining the question. afresh, in consultation with the farmers organisations, to see what further steps are practicable and desirable.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if, in view of the success of the grass-drying scheme sponsored by the Milk Marketing Board in Gloucestershire, which is providing local dairy farmers with a valuable concentrated feedingstuff at economical cost, he has secured an increased allocation of steel for the manufacture of more grass-drying equipment in time for operation next summer.

I am watching this valuable experiment with the greatest interest, but it has not been in operation long enough for any definite conclusions to be drawn. Meanwhile, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply is aware of the demand for grass driers, and is giving as generous allocations as the steel shortage will allow.

Can the Minister say whether "generous allocations" means that there will be more or less steel allocated for this purpose?

I cannot imagine the allocations being less.

Why not?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, since 87 per cent. of the farms throughout this country are of 150 acres, or less, and many of these farms urgently need additional working capital to enable them to increase their output from the land, he will consider the formation of some organisation or provide some machinery by which it would be possible for them to borrow at interest rate of 2 per cent.

No, Sir.

Is not the real trouble, as the right hon. Gentleman knows quite well, the shortage of working capital for farmers? He does not like this Question and cannot think of a suitable answer. Will he not do something? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that agricultural production has gone down steadily during the last two years under this Government, which is a very serious matter?

I thought the answer was very brief, brotherly and effective.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in connection with the compensation paid to farmers for their losses due to blizzards and floods in the worst affected areas in this country, and the reluctance many farmers have in taking charity from their fellow farmers in other parts of the country who also suffered losses last winter, he will consider making an interest-free loan to enable these farmers to restore their stocks.

No, Sir. I have already reduced the interest charge from 5 per cent. to 2½ per cent. under the Goods and Services Scheme, for the replacement of livestock lost through blizzards and floods, and I do not propose to make any further reduction.

May we know when the Government do intend to make a real all-out drive for production? Has not the Chancellor of the Exchequer said that agricultural production is the biggest dollar saver, and does not agriculture therefore take priority over everything else? It is not a laughing matter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the exceptional slaughter of horses throughout this country which is taking place, he will now give the official figure of horses used for agricultural purposes at 30th June, 1947; and whether, as this slaughter is having an adverse effect on horse-breeding, he will take suitable steps to ensure that this slaughtering is curtailed.

The number of horses used for agricultural purposes in England and Wales at 30th June, 1947, is not available, but the number at 4th March, 1947, was 434,000. I have no evidence that the slaughter of horses is having any detrimental effect upon horse-breeding in this country, and therefore, I do not propose to take any special steps to ensure that it is curtailed.

As the right hon. Gentleman has not the figures I have asked for, how can he tell what has been going on during the last few months? Surely, the Ministry ought to have a check to ensure that horses are being maintained, as they are of such great value to agriculture?

The hon. Member must know that the Ministry asked for returns only on specified dates. Apparently the hon. Member wants us to have weekly returns.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that experts say that there are something like 700 racehorses which will never win a race even if they compete with cart horses? Will he ask these horse slaughterers, and other gamblers and speculators, to turn their attention to these animals instead of to cobs and van horses?

It may well be that that is where they have turned their attention.

asked the Minister of Agriculture why the agricultural workers in Cornwall, who require a minimum of 1,500 permits a week for vacuum flasks, have been granted only between 150 and 200 permits; if he is aware that this will inflict hardship upon these vital food workers who are unable to obtain hot meals and have no canteen facilities; and if he will increase the allocation.

My Department's allocation is only 14,000 permits a month for the whole of England and Wales. The distribution of the permits is undertaken by the farmers' and farm workers' organisations, which consider the relative needs of each county. I regret that the total allocation cannot be increased at present. Agriculture already has a larger share than any other industry.

That is not a satisfactory reply. The agricultural community in Cornwall are not at all satisfied. Is the Minister aware that a Question was asked on 21st April with regard to importation; and that the import licence was refused? Will the Minister review that matter and press his right hon. and learned Friend the President of the Board of Trade to get something done?

I regret that there is a shortage, but the hon. Member's figures vary from time to time. When he put down his last Question, he suggested that only 1,000 flasks were required. He now suggests that 1,500 are required.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that there are 16,000 farmworkers in Cornwall and about 16,000 farmers, not including their families, and that these flasks are essential to production?

I have already informed the hon. Member that distribution is determined by the National Farmers Union and the Agricultural Workers' Union, who try to meet the needs of each county according to the number of employees.

Arising out of the Minister's answer to my supplementary question, in regard to the 1,500 and the 1,000, I am perfectly well aware of this fact, but is the Minister aware that the demand has increased, and that this is supported by the National Farmers' Union of Cornwall?

Is it not time that this perfect farce came to an end?

Is the Minister aware that these flasks are available in big stores, provided one buys all the picnic equipment which goes with them?