asked the Lord Privy Seal how much European Economic Community intervention butter was bought by the House of Commons Refreshment Department in each of the last four months; and what percentage this represents of the total amount of butter bought.

European Economic Community intervention butter was not bought by the House of Commons Refreshment Department until 10 January, as the Department's suppliers were unable to obtain it before that date. Figures for purchases of intervention butter since 10 January are as follows:

	lb's	Per cent. of total bought
10 January—31 January	660	90
1 February—28 February	1,300	90
1 March—25 March	1,000	87

The remaining butter (overall average 11 per cent.) was purchased as butter pats (foil wrapped); European Economic Community intervention butter is not available in this form.