asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether a larger number of animals were slaughtered for beef prior to the 1st January last than the corresponding period of 1916; and whether the supplies of home-grown animals for beef are greater or less for the coming four months than for the corresponding period of 1917?

I have been asked to reply. An estimate based on over 10,000 returns from slaughter houses in Great Britain indicates that in December, 1917, the number of cattle slaughtered for beef was 9.4 per cent. greater than the number slaughtered in December, 1916. The number of live-stock in the country is estimated to be less than that of a year ago, and consequently supplies of home-fed beef in the next four months equal to those of the same period last year can be forthcoming only at the expense of a further depletion of our livestock.

Is there any evidence that farmers are holding up beef animals?

I understand there was some evidence to that effect at the beginning of this year as the result of the recent Order fixing life prices.

Is there now any evidence of it?

No, I cannot say so at the moment.

May I ask whether large numbers were slaughtered last December by order of the Government for the supply of the Army, and that this is one cause of the shortage?

I shall have to receive notice of that.

Was the shortage due to the ridiculous Order given by the Food Controller? May I have an answer?

If the hon. Member thinks the question of sufficient importance —

I do.

Then put it down.