§ MR. MORTONI beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether in every market in Scotland for the sale of live stock a weighing machine must be provided; if so, will he say whose duty it is to see that a weighing machine is so-provided; whether the authorities are required to see, in the interests of public health, that in all markets where those' weighing machines are provided that all animals for sale should be inspected by the veterinary surgeon appointed by the-local authority in that district, and certified as to their fitness for human food; and whether he will issue instructions for the guidance of all local authorities in Scotland fixing a basis of inspection, so that there may be a uniform practice, and to prevent the confusion that now exists owing to there being different standards of inspection.
§ THE SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND (Mr. SINCLAIR,) ForfarshireThere is no-provision requiring local authorities to see that animals exposed for sale in any market, whether provided with weighing; machines or not, are inspected by a, veterinary surgeon and certified as to 787 their fitness for human food. There is no power to fix a standard of inspection; but on the 19th October, 1899, the Local Government Board for Scotland issued a circular suggesting that in the inspection of tuberculous carcases of cattle the principles laid down in the Report of the Royal Commission on Tuberculosis of 1898 should be followed. There is no intention to recommend any standard for the inspection of living animals.