§ Mr. Grimondasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any estimate of the cost of producing a hundredweight of beef; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. William Ross:The cost of and returns from beef production vary widely according to the system of production adopted and the quality produced. Under the support arrangements now operating, the target price for the year as a whole is set at £22.85 per live cwt., subject to seasonal variations. I am confident that on the basis of these arrangements producers will be able to show a reasonable profit from their production.