asked the Minister of Food what was the total estimated killing-out weight of the 30 fat cattle when graded at Fakenham Market, Norfolk, on 8th May, 1947, and the actual weight of meat fit for human consumption when the cattle were slaughtered after arrival at Aldershot.

One of the animals was found dead in the truck. The estimated killing-out weight of the other 29 cattle was 22,299 lb. My Department bought these cattle on the basis of live weight and estimated killing-out percentage; it is the practice not to disclose the dead-weights in the case of such purchases. In this particular case, however, I can assure my hon. Friend that the difference between the estimated and actual weights was less than 2 per cent.

Mr. Baldwin:

Is not the reason for the loss of killing-out weight of these cattle the fact that they are sent such enormous distances from the slaughter-houses to the consumption centre; and could not that be avoided?

I think the hon. Member knows that the capacity of some of the slaughter-houses is limited. That is why these cattle have to be sent rather long distances on occasions.