Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the latest figure for egg production in Northern Ireland; what it was 12 months prior to that date; and if he will make a statement on the future of egg production.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe high-quality egg industry in Northern Ireland makes, and will continue to make, a valuable contribution to the local economy. The estimated throughput of graded eggs at Northern Ireland's registered packing stations for the week ending 1 October 1989 was 37,000 cases (30 dozen eggs per case), compared with 43,000 cases in the corresponding week in 1988. The level of throughput is below that of the year before, but average price levels are substantially higher.