§ 2. Lieut.-Colonel MOOREasked the Secretary of State for India if he is aware that the animals slaughtered for the food of our European troops in India are killed by having their throats cut by Mahommedan batchers; and will he take steps to ensure that these animals are first rendered unconscious by the use of a mechanical killer, similar to the system adopted by the Army authorities at home?
§ Sir S. HOAREThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; the Government of India have fully investigated the matter on several occasions, and have decided that the present system must continue, every effort being made to ensure that it is carried out as humanely as possible.
§ Lieut.-Colonel MOOREIs my right hon. Friend aware that under the present system these animals have two minutes or more of extreme discomfort and pain, and will he not consider the British method of using the humane killer?
§ Sir S. HOAREIt is a very difficult question, owing to the fact that most of the butchers are Moslems, and Moslems as my hon. and gallant Friend knows, have certain religious convictions.
§ Lieut.-Colonel MOOREWill my right hon. Friend remember that I was referring to meat killed for British troops, not meat killed for Moslem troops?
§ Sir S. HOAREI think my hon. and gallant Friend misunderstands me. The meat is killed by Moslem butchers, whether it is for British or for Indian troops.
§ Mr. McGOVERNWill the right hon. Gentleman have the humane killer applied to the people in receipt of transitional payment instead of the means test?