asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will explain why Ulster firms were paying 2/- per lb. dead weight for beef on 24th January, 1953, and on the same day Munster firms paid 1/9 for beef of the same category, and if he will take the necessary steps to have the Munster firms publish their prices in the daily Press.

I presume the Deputy refers to firms slaughtering cattle for export. The purchase of cattle by such firms is a private trade matter and I have no function as regards requiring them to publish their prices.