§ Viscount CASTLEREAGH (Maidstone)To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he has yet taken any steps to secure the adoption of a humane method of slaughtering the cattle required for the use of the British troops in Egypt.
§ (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The General Officer Commanding, Egypt, has made very careful inquiries into the matter, and reports that all cattle at Cairo and Alexandria are slaughtered at the Egyptian Government abattoirs and under the supervision of the Egyptian Government officials. They are slaughtered in accordance with Mahomedan practice, which alone prevails in Egypt. Unconsciousness is instantaneous and death ensues in a few seconds. The system of inspection is most careful and every effort is made to ensure the avoidance of cruelty.