Slaughterhouses (Hansard, 26 November 1952)

§ 2. Mr. G. Williams
asked the Minister of Food when the Committee appointed to investigate conditions in slaughterhouses is likely to report.

§ Major Lloyd George
As the Committee has only just started its inquiries, I cannot say.

§ Mr. Williams
Would it not be a good thing for the Minister to give them some guidance as to when they should get their task completed, because much anxiety is felt by many people interested in this subject?

§ Major Lloyd George
It is an extremely important matter into which they are inquiring, and it is bound to take a little time. I would remind my hon. Friend that the last report took about eight months, but I will certainly get in touch with them.

§ Mr. Royle
Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware of the deplorable state of many of the Ministry's slaughterhouses, and will he push on with the longterm policy of building?

§ Major Lloyd George
I entirely agree that there is room for a great deal of improvement. As the hon. Gentleman probably knows, before long there will be an exploration of the siting of these slaughterhouses, which, as he will appreciate, is a very important matter.

§ 15. Captain Duncan
asked the Minister of Food when he proposes to erect a modern slaughterhouse in Scotland; and why none of those sites at present selected are in that country.

§ Major Lloyd George
The present Government programme was a strictly limited emergency measure to provide additional slaughtering capacity in areas where facilities were exceptionally poor. We contemplate that any further new slaugherhouses will be built by local authorities or other bodies on the basis of a national siting plan to be drawn up in consultation with the interests concerned, as indicated in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Hexham (Mr. Speir) on 5th November.

§ Captain Duncan
Does my right hon. and gallant Friend therefore take the view that in Scotland there are sufficient slaughterhouses—and sufficient efficient slaughterhouses?

§ Major Lloyd George
No, I do not take that view at all—and that is why we are having a look at the matter on a national scale—but compared to some of the worst parts we have to deal with they are slightly better.

§ 26. Mr. Hayman
asked the Minister of Food when work will begin on the provision of new lairages at the Redruth slaughterhouse.

§ Major Lloyd George
I understand that the construction of the new lairages is due to commence the week after next and to finish by the end of January.

§ 27. Mr. Hayman
asked the Minister of Food what steps he is taking to get the yard of the Redruth slaughterhouse properly paved at once in view of the anxiety of the urban district council over the bad state of the yard in wet weather.

§ Major Lloyd George
I am making inquiries and will communicate with the hon. Member.

§ Mr. Hayman
Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman bear in mind that the conditions of the yard at this slaughterhouse are appalling and that if the R.S.P.C.A. instituted a prosecution now they would probably be successful?

§ Major Lloyd George
There are two possibilities—complete paving or a pathway. I understand that there was a meeting yesterday between the authorities concerned in order to see what was the best thing to do.

§ Mr. Hayman
Will the Minister inquire whether the urban district council does not agree with a paved pathway across the yard instead of paving the whole yard?

§ Major Lloyd George
I will make inquiries and let the hon. Gentleman know.