asked the Minister for Agriculture if any beef cattle have been bought into intervention at any time since it was introduced, while market prices for beef were in excess of the intervention buying-in price; and, if so, the periods when they occurred; the amounts of beef involved; the amount of money paid for the beef; and if on any of these occasions the market price was in excess of 85 per cent of the guide price.
Written Answers . - Beef Cattle .
143.
: The market prices for beef are determined by the returns from sales on different outlets including intervention. Intervention provides market support for prime beef only and it is not possible to say if the market price for prime beef exceeded at any time the intervention buying-in price.
The prices of intervention-quality cattle at marts have for short periods in the spring and summer exceeded the liveweight intervention price but particulars of sales of beef into intervention during these periods are not readily available. The average market price for all cattle has constantly been below 85 per cent of the guide price since April 1974.