HC Deb 01 April 1953 vol 513 cc1198-200
27. Mr. Dodds

asked the Minister of Food why sheep-roasting is forbidden during the Coronation celebrations when ox-roasting is permitted.

28 and 29. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Minister of Food (1) whether he is aware that a Coronation public roasting ceremony has been carried out on the village green at Hallow, Worcestershire, since the days of Elizabeth I and even earlier; that the population of the village is insufficient to justify public roasting of an ox or deer; that the regional officer of his Department has refused to allow the public roasting of a sheep on 2nd June, 1953; and whether, in the interests of Coronation tradition and ceremonial in rural England, he will give a special dispensation to allow the yeomen and residents of Hallow to roast a sheep, publicly, on 2nd June, 1953, on the village green;

(2) what regulations restrict or prohibit the public roasting of a sheep, or calf, or pig as part of Coronation festivities; and whether he will permit these animals to be used as an alternative to an ox or a deer where the village population is insufficient to justify an ox or deer being roasted or where other local circumstances make a sheep, or calf, or pig a desirable and economical alternative.

Major Lloyd George

I am not prepared to extend these arrangements to animals other than oxen for the reasons already stated in the reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Newbury (Mr. Hurd) on 28th January. Orders governing the obtaining and slaughtering of animals for human consumption are The Livestock (Sales) Order, The Pigs (Sales) Order, The Livestock (Restriction on Slaughtering) Order and The Import of Goods (Control) Order.

Mr. Dodds

But does not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman appreciate that most people think it is fantastic that a small community can roast an ox but are forbidden to roast a sheep; and in view of the fact that some people think that this is another classical example of privilege, will he not reconsider it?

Mr. Nabarro

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that the traditionalist elements in rural Worcestershire and elsewhere will deeply regret his decision in this matter, especially as in the majority of cases a pig or sheep or calf has been offered as a donation to the Coronation Committee, and would he not, therefore, reconsider this matter?

Major Lloyd George

The hon. Gentleman and my hon. Friend will realise that if these arrangements were extended the demand would be very much greater, and in the present supply condition could not be contemplated.

Mr. S. Silverman

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman assure the House that this greater tenderness for sheep than for oxen has not been carried out by the Government at the instigation and on the insistence of the Government Chief Whip?

Mr. Boothby

In the absence of sheep, will my right hon. and gallant Friend consider inaugurating a national campaign for the Coronation for the roasting of herrings?

Mr. J Hynd

Will the Minister consider letting us have a real holiday on that occasion by closing the abattoirs and arranging for the animals to be slaughtered in public, as well?

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