§ MR. WATT (Glasgow, College)To ask the Secretary for Scotland if he will state what sums the following county local authorities paid in 1906, or 1905 if the later date is not available, for inspecting and supervising the slaughter of animals within their jurisdiction; whether, and in what cases, these sums were paid to veterinary surgeons or to medical practitioners; and what number of carcases, if any, were condemned in these various counties as unfit for human 675 food, viz., Renfrew, Dumbarton, Stirling, Ayr, Linlithgow, Lanark, and Peebles.
(Answered by Mr. Sinclair.) It is impossible to state for any of the counties named the sums paid in any year for Inspecting and supervising the slaughter of animals. Such inspection and super vision as a rule forms part of the duties of the officers of the public health department, more especially the sanitary inspectors. Such officers are paid inclusive salaries, and it is impossible to state exactly the amount paid in respect of the above-mentioned duty. As regards the last part of the hon. Member's Question, thirty-five carcases were wholly condemned and internal organs and parts of 367 other carcases were condemned during 1906; of these carcases one was condemned in Dumbartonshire, one in Stirlingshire, and the remainder in the upper and middle wards of Lanark shire. None were condemned in Renfrew, Linlithgow, Ayr, or Peebles. I may explain that in the counties other than the upper and middle wards of Lanarkshire a considerable portion of the meat consumed is supplied from the public slaughter-houses situated within burghs. For example, I am informed that in the lower ward of Lanarkshire almost the whole of the meat is obtained from Glasgow.