Hill Sheep (Winter Losses)

Oral Answers to Questions — Agriculture – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 16 Mehefin 1947.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Lieutenant-Colonel Dower:

asked the Minister of Agriculture what are the losses suffered by hill sheep farmers due to the abnormally bad winter conditions; and whether, in view of the time which must necessarily elapse before the agricultural fund now being raised on a voluntary basis is completed, advance payments will be made by His Majesty's Government in cases of urgency.

Photo of Mr Thomas Williams Mr Thomas Williams , Don Valley

Of the estimated total of more than 4,000,000 sheep and lambs lost in Great Britain, it is estimated that the losses of hill sheep and lambs are of the order of 3,000,000, representing a value of about £5½ million. I understand that provisional payments from the Agricultural Disaster Fund to meet urgent cases will be authorised as soon as sufficient information is available to enable this to be done. Farmers can also apply for advance payments in respect of next year's hill sheep subsidy.

Lieutenant-Colonel Dower:

Will the Minister, while appreciating the very grave losses suffered, also recognise that in a number of cases the question of immediate help is of vital importance? In such cases, if help came later, it might not really be of any value because the men concerned might have been put out of business.

Photo of Mr Thomas Williams Mr Thomas Williams , Don Valley

That is why immediate steps were taken, and are being taken, to deal with the matter.