asked the Minister of Food the price of beef as averaged before derationing; if he is aware that it has risen again in price this month; and if he will introduce a controlled ceiling price.

So far as can be estimated the weighted average price of all the beef cuts in the retail price schedule immediately before decontrol was about 2s. 6½d. for home killed and 2s. 2d. a lb. for imported. I have no evidence of any general increase in retail beef prices in October. It would be quite impracticable to impose price controls without reintroducing control over supplies and rationing.