§ Mr. Abseasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement about the effect on meat supplies and prices of the National Farmers Union proposal to withhold stock from the market for one week beginning 11th May.
§ Mr. Cledwyn Hughes:If farmers follow this course it is bound to cause some inconvenience to others. However, my Department has been in touch with the trade interests chiefly concerned with supplies and I am satisfied that stocks available in cold stores, together with meat coming forward from other sources —both home and overseas—will be sufficient to meet essential needs. There is no reason for any increase in retail prices on this account.