§ 9. Sir EDWARD COATESasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he will consider the fixing of a close time for calves and lambs during which they may not be slaughtered, with the object of their being allowed to grow into mature animals, and so make a greater provision of animal food for the population of the United Kingdom?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Sir Harry Verney)Any such drastic interference with normal agricultural practice as that suggested by the hon. Baronet would, I am afraid, have very undesirable results, particularly in the effect which it would have upon the supply and price of milk. But the Board will not hesitate, if occasion should arise, to exercise the powers conferred upon them by the Slaughter of Animals Act, 1914. From the information carefully collected by the 643 Board week by week throughout the country, it is evident that many more calves than usual are now being kept or sold for rearing. With regard to lambs, the Board are advised that the inevitable result of prohibiting slaughter would be a serious rise in the price of mutton without compensating advantages.
Mr. CATHCART WASONWill the hon. Baronet give special attention to the question of the slaughter of calves, many of which are killed absolutely at birth and sold as human food, and look at it from the point of view of the health of the people?
§ Sir H. VERNEYI think my hon. Friend is probably referring to Scotland. We have no information that anything of the kind has taken place in England.