asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state if a supply of parts for American and English-made reapers and binders will be available for the coming harvest, as last year, through lack of transport, there was a definite shortage of those parts.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Spare Parts for Reapers and Binders.
Adequate supplies of spare parts for reapers and binders will, it is hoped, be available for the coming harvest. Orders should be placed now for whatever parts are required so as to allow suppliers a reasonable time to obtain them.
Last year, the Minister stated here that, owing to lack of normal transport from America, lack of shipping facilities, a supply of parts could not be guaranteed. In fact, no parts were made available until mid-September. If there are transport difficulties through lack of shipping this year, I would suggest that we should get some of the American heavy liners. Those essential parts would be worth nine times their price if the lack of them meant that reapers and binders had to stand idle.
Is the Minister satisfied that adequate supplies of Deering parts are available?
And of McCormack and Massey-Harris parts?
I cannot answer for every make, but, in regard to most of the common makes of harvesters in use in this country, the spare part position will be much better than it was last year.