§ 34. Sir J. JARDINEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what action is being taken on a memorial from Mr. Andrew Beattie, a butcher, of Denholm, in the county of Roxburgh, and for twenty years past a dealer in cattle and sheep, complaining of the refusal of Mr. C. Ritchie, deputy live-stock commissioner at Edinburgh, to grant him a cattle dealer's licence, although Mr. Beattie sent letters from three live-stock auctioneers certifying that he is a regular dealer and extensive buyer of both fat and store sheep and cattle, and although the refusal causes hardship and loss of income?
§ Mr. CLYNESIn order to simplify as much as possible the arrangements for the distribution of live-stock, it has been found necessary to reduce to a minimum the number of dealers' licences issued, and it is not as a rule considered advisable that a person carrying on a butchering business should also operate as a cattle dealer. Inquiries are, however, being made into the case described by the hon. Baronet, and any action found to be necessary will be taken.
§ Mr. KILBRIDEIs it not a fact that one of the largest dealers in England, 1314 living in Oldham, with which town the hon. Gentleman is acquainted, was both a butcher and a Catholic?
§ Mr. CLYNESI am fairly familiar with the conditions in that town, but that incident has not come to my notice.