§ Mr. GEORGE GREENWOODasked the President of the Local Government Board if he has received a memorial urging that, as four years have elapsed since the Committee appointed by the Admiralty to consider the humane slaughtering of animals reported that, in the interests not only of humanity but of sanitation and economy, private slaughter-houses should be replaced by public abattoirs, action should now be taken to give effect to that reform in the metropolitan district; and whether he will take the necessary steps to carry out the recommendations of the Committee, by legislation or otherwise?
§ Mr. BURNSI have received the memorial referred to. Legislation would 1075 be necessary to give effect to the suggestion of my hon. Friend, and the change proposed would involve considerable financial and other difficulties. I could not undertake to introduce legislation on the subject at the present time.