New Slaughterhouses (Hansard, 10 November 1952)

HC Deb 10 November 1952 vol 507 cc590-1 590

§ 49. Mr. Murray
asked the Minister of Food how many new slaughterhouses are now being built of modern lay-out; where they are situated; how much capital is set aside for this purpose; and if he will give the number to be completed in 1952–53.

§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Dr. Charles Hill)
Nine new slaughterhouses, estimated to cost £1,208,000, are provided for in the present building programme: two are now in use and three will be completed in the current financial year.
I will, with permission, circulate a list in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

§ Mr. Murray
Is the hon. Gentleman aware that that answer gives a bit of comfort to me at least, as some of the old, obsolete, out-of-date slaughterhouses have made me weep? I hope that the hon. Gentleman will push on this capital investment and get some of these out-of-date places put into reasonably good shape.

§ Sir T. Moore
Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that, despite their badness, there were 14,000 slaughterhouses before the war, and that there is at present tremendous congestion which leads to a lot of suffering among animals still awaiting slaughter in the yards? Will he therefore press on with the increase asked for by the hon. Member?

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§ Dr. Hill
I would refer the hon. Member and my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given by my right hon. and gallant Friend to a Written Question last Wednesday, in which future slaughterhouse policy was summarised.

§ Mr. Hastings
May I ask when the hon. Gentleman anticipates that the present programme will be completed?

§ Dr. Hill
It is anticipated that the present programme of nine slaughterhouses, referred to in my answer, will be completed in 1954.

Following is the list: Guildford, Fareham, Canterbury, Grimsby, Swindon, Salisbury, Sunderland, Bournemouth and Poole district and Bolton, Leigh and Wigan district. The new premises at Guildford and Fare-ham are now in use and those at Canterbury, Grimsby and Swindon are expected to be ready for use by the end of next month. Work has not vet started on the other four slaughterhouses and they will not be ready for use before 1954.