asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will make a statement regarding supplies of tractors and binders for the coming sowing and harvesting seasons; how he proposes to allocate these, and whether a permit from his Department will be necessary for purchase; and, if so, whether applicants not supplied last year will get first consideration.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Supplies of Tractors and Binders.
Arrangements have been made for the importation of 600 Fordson tractors and 20 Marshall Diesel tractors. Delays in transport are inevitable, but one cargo of 104 has already arrived and has been distributed. Every person who was last year nominated for a tractor has received an offer of one this year. Since last year over 1,500 new applications have been received for tractors.
Arrangements have been made to import 750 reapers and binders. Two hundred of these will be made by the International Harvester Company, 200 by Messrs. Massey Harris, Ltd., of Canada, and 350 by the Cockshutt Company, Canada. It is hoped to have them here in time to be assembled and delivered for use this season, but no guarantee of that can be given. All these machines are subject to the availability of supply and shipping.
We were short of 110 binders of last season's allocation. These have now arrived and are being assembled. They will be delivered to farmers who were nominated last year but were, unfortunately, disappointed. Close on 2,000 new applications for binders have been received in my Department.
The machinery mentioned will be purchased subject to permit issued by my Department and will be distributed through the ordinary trade channels. Arrangements have been made to allocate both tractors and binders on a county basis, and a quota has been tentatively fixed for each county. I intend to ask the special committee in each county to assist me in selecting purchasers for the reapers and binders, and applicants who were not supplied last year will, I have no doubt, be given every consideration by the special committee.
The tractors began to arrive almost as soon as we received information of the number allocated and there was not time to consult the special committee; but the name and address of every applicant have been forwarded to Messrs. Ford and Son. Ltd., and their agents are working on those lists. Approved purchasers will receive permits, but as the demand far exceeds the supply there will be many intending purchasers whose orders cannot be filled.
Will the Minister say what he means by an approved purchaser? Is it approved by his Department?
Yes.
And selected by Messrs. Ford?
Well, yes, for some of them. As I told the Deputy, all the lists approved by selection committees were sent to Ford's to be dealt with first.
Will tractors be allocated on a county basis?
Yes, but not through a selection committee.