asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of the calves qualifying in England and Wales for the rearing subsidy as potential beef stock were hornless in 1960; and if he gives advice to certifying officers on the desirability of attaining the 89·5 per cent. of hornless calves reported in Scotland under the subsidy scheme last year.

Statistics of the proportion of hornless calves qualifying for the calf subsidy in England and Wales are not available. Calf certifying officers are aware of our policy for encouraging the dehorning of calves and the National Agricultural Advisory Service do all they can to encourage the practice.