§ 84. Mr. Hall-Caineasked the Minister of Agriculture how many local authorities and other bodies have submitted schemes to the Livestock Commission for the setting up of central slaughterhouses; whether the Commission are still prepared to consider further schemes of this kind; and by what date it may be anticipated that they will reach a decision as to where the three experiments permitted by the Livestock Industry Act are to take place?
§ The Minister of Agriculture (Mr. W. S. Morrison)I am informed that the Livestock Commission have not yet been furnished with details of any arrangements made for the provision or alteration of a central slaughterhouse which would form the basis of a slaughterhouse scheme to be made and submitted by the Commission under the provisions of the Livestock Industry Act. Twenty-one local authorities and other bodies have, however, been in consultation with the Commission with a view to considering whether they will submit proposals. The Commission are prepared to consider 550 proposals from local authorities or other bodies who have not yet approached them. My hon. Friend will appreciate that in these circumstances it is not possible to indicate by what date a decision will be reached on the location of the experimental slaughterhouses for which the Act provides.