This Bill continues in operation the Seeds and Fertilisers Supply Act, 1942, for the period from 1st August, 1949, to 31st July, 1955. The 1942 Act applied to the period from 1st August, 1941, to 31st July, 1942, and continuing Acts have extended this period to 31st July, 1949. The Acts empower county councils to provide credit for the purchase of seeds and fertilisers to small cultivators who might otherwise find it difficult to obtain supplies. All but four county councils adopted schemes in the seasons 1949-50 and 1950-51 in anticipation of the enactment of legislation to enable them to do so. This Bill will validate these schemes and will continue the legislation for a further four seasons.
The total number of persons who benefited from the schemes in the season 1949-50 was 2,421 and the total amount involved was £27,153, the average loan being about £11.
There is no new principle of any kind involved in this Bill.