asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the next Annual Report of the National Food Survey Committee will be published.

In May next, to cover the year 1956. In the meantime, the principal statistical information up to and including the second quarter of 1957 will have appeared in the Government publication Economic Trends.

Is the Minister aware that the last published Survey puts the weekly expenditure on meat of all kinds at 7s. a person? Would he say whether he accepts that estimate of 28s. for a family of four, or does he prefer the estimate of 10s. per week for a family given by his wife in a newspaper article? If he accepts the official estimate, would he not exercise such influence as he possesses to prevent the publication of these absurd statements, which very much annoy housewives?

I am not responsible for any highly-coloured statements that may occur in the popular Press.