asked the Minister of Agriculture what consultations he has held with the farmers' representatives about permanent egg marketing arrangements.

The National Farmers' Unions have submitted informally an outline of proposals for an egg marketing scheme, including the setting up of an egg marketing board. As I told the hon. Member for Newbury (Mr. Kurd) on 29th April, the Government have commented on these proposals, and discussions to facilitate consideration of a formal proposal under the procedure laid down in the Agricultural Marketing Acts, are continuing.