asked the Minister of Food whether he will now make provision for a maximum retail price for eggs.

No, Sir.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary declare a policy about eggs? We are now approaching the old controlled price. Will he say whether or not he intends to hold the price? We support the Government so far because they intervened to hold the price and all I ask is whether they will determine the figure at which to hold egg prices during the coming months?

The policy of the Government is revealed by the fact that today eggs are cheaper than they were at this time last year, and also even the year before under control and subsidy.

Why are fewer eggs being consumed if the prices and everything else are as satisfactory as the hon. Gentleman says?

No statistics are available to the hon. and gallant Gentleman at the moment by which to determine the number of eggs consumed.