§ 23. Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Food if he is aware that slaughtering facilities at Newbury are inadequate to deal with the additional bacon pigs now being offered for slaughter there owing to foot and mouth disease regulations; and if he will arrange for an additional slaughterhouse to be opened so that local farmers and smallholders can dispose of pigs before they become wastefully fat.
§ Mr. S. N. EvansI know that the prolonged foot and mouth disease restrictions in the Newbury district have prevented the slaughter of pigs at the usual places outside the restricted area and have resulted in increased numbers having to be killed at Newbury slaughterhouse and at the Abingdon bacon factory. I am having inquiries made locally to see if there is any other slaughterhouse that could be brought into use immediately to handle pigs.
§ Mr. HurdWill not the Minister act promptly? These slaughterhouses are not being used, yet over the week-end I had no fewer than six telephone calls from farmers and smallholders who cannot get their pigs killed?
§ Mr. EvansIf the hon. Member will give me the addresses of the slaughterhouses I will go into it immediately.