asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has considered representations from egg-producing organisations as to the uneconomic price of English eggs, National Mark eggs having fallen 3s. per 120 or 9s. per case in the last week while production generally has not increased sufficiently to warrant any price drop; and whether steps are being taken to review the system of control of imports of eggs so as to obviate such price falls?

My right hon. Friend is aware of the fall in the price of home-produced eggs in the week in question, but such information as is available indicates that there has been a steady increase of sales of home-produced eggs since the beginning of the year. The whole position is being kept under close review, and I would remind my hon. Friend that the Government's legislative proposals for the poultry industry include provision for the regulation of imports in certain circumstances.

Can we have an assurance that this poultry legislation will be brought on at a period in the Session when it can be carried into law?

It will certainly be brought on as soon as possible.