asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) when the prices to be fixed for hill ewes will be announced;

(2) what steps he is taking to secure reasonable prices for producers of high-quality cattle?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 30th November to a question asked by the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. T. Williams) in the course of which I announced the withdrawal of the Maximum Prices Order for fat stock pending the introduction of the full plan of control. The question of the prices for high-quality cattle and hill ewes will receive consideration in connection with the preparation of the final arrangements for the introduction of the scheme for the purchase of fat stock by my Department.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when he expects to be in a position to announce ťhe details of the full system of control?

I hope very shortly.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the House any information as to the prices which are being charged for livestock this week as compared with lasť week?

I could give the House a general indication but the period under review is too short a time in which to found stable conclusions. As I anticipated, there has been an increase in ťhe prices of the best quality of cattle, but there has been no more than the usual seasonal increase in other respects.

Is the right hon. Genťleman aware of the 25 per cent. increase in the price of beef?