asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many store cattle have been imported from Eire in each month of this year to England and Wales; and what number is likely to be imported each month during the rest of this year.

During January, February and March, imports into the U.K. of store cattle from the Irish Republic were, respectively, 31,602, 40,090 and 53,975 head. The official statistics relate to the U.K. as a whole but it is estimated that about 52 per cent. of the numbers mentioned entered ports in England and Wales. I cannot forecast the number likely to be imported each month during the rest of the year.