asked the Taoiseach if he will state the price of each of the different cuts of meat at mid-February, 1954, and mid-February, 1955, and the effect of such prices on the consumer price index.

I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to circulate in the Official Report a statement giving the prices of different cuts of meat at mid-February, 1954, and mid-February, 1955. The effect on the consumer price index (base mid-August, 1947=100) of the changes in prices of meat between mid-February, 1954, and mid-February, 1955, was to increase the index by 0.44 of a point.

Following is the statement:—

NATIONAL average retail prices of the different cuts of meat at mid-February, 1954 and mid-February, 1955.