§ Mr. Nobleasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what estimates he has made of the importation of sheep from Eire this summer and autumn; and what effect such imports are likely to have on the price of lambs and of store sheep in the United Kingdom;
(2) what estimates he has made of the importation of cattle from Eire this summer and autumn; and what effect such imports are likely to have on prices of beef and store cattle in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. PeartMy Department is in regular and close consultation with the Department of Agriculture in the Irish Republic, but I cannot publish advance estimates of the level of imports, whether of fat animals, stores, or carcase meat. Further, the level of prices in our market is dependent upon total supplies from all sources, including home production, and their relationship to demand.