§ 30. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Mooreasked the Minister of Food how many slaughterhouses are in use in Britain today; how many are under construction; and how many are contemplated for erection.
§ Mr. F. WilleyThere are 587 slaughterhouses in Great Britain being used by my Department. Two experimental slaughterhouses are being built at Guildford and Fareham, and, as my right hon. Friend announced on 30th April, 1951, an additional seven new slaughterhouses are to be built and work has already started on one of the sites. My right hon. Friend will make an early announcement about further plans.
§ Sir T. Mooreas the present congestion of animals awaiting slaughter involves suffering and loss, will not the Minister speed up the further erection of slaughterhouses or else re-open some of the 14,000 which existed before the war?
§ Mr. Willeyas the hon. and gallant Gentleman knows, this matter has been repeatedly reviewed. Unfortunately, the larger number of slaughterhouses are quite unsuitable, but I would ask the hon. and gallant Gentleman to await my right hon. Friend's statement
§ Mr. Emrys Hugheswill my hon. Friend resist any attempt to give slaughterhouses priority over other houses?