asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the rate of slaughterings of cows in calf over the last six months; and what action he proposes to take to retain confidence among beef producers so as to prevent beef shortages next autumn and for the next two years, in view of the fact that there is now no guaranteed end price.

There are no statistics showing the number of cows in calf going for slaughter. My right hon. Friend has already announced in the House, on 25th March, measures to be taken to safeguard the position of beef producers.