§ Mr. Clark Hutchisonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to prevent a rise in the cost of meat in Scotland.
§ Mr. PeartThe restrictions on the marketing and transport of fatstock resulting from foot-and-mouth disease have made the distribution of meat more difficult and expensive. Fat cattle prices have risen in the last few weeks by an average of over 50s. a live cwt. in the U.K.;226W Scottish prices have shared in this rise. In these circumstances increases in some retail prices are to be expected but I am keeping the situation under careful review.