§ 31. Captain Duncanasked the Minister of Food whether the committee looking into the siting of slaughterhouses has yet reported; and what recommendations it has made.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Dr. Charles Hill)No, Sir. The committee for England and Wales is still taking evidence from the national organisations concerned.
§ Captain DuncanIs my hon. Friend aware that a policy of moderate concentration of modern slaughterhouses is essential before we can get a meat marketing policy? Is it not vitally necessary to hurry up the work of this committee and of the Scottish committee?
§ Dr. HillIt is necessary, I agree, that this Report should be completed as soon as possible and the committee are aware of that. They are awaiting some representations from representative bodies who desire to give evidence.
Mr. T. WilliamsWill the Minister consult the chairman of this committee and invite him to produce an interim report as quickly as he can?
§ 43. Mr. Mikardoasked the Minister of Food when he intends to close the abattoir in East Street, Reading.
§ Dr. HillMy Department will cease using this slaughterhouse when improvements are completed at the slaughterhouse at Caversham Road. I hope that this will be next spring.
§ Mr. MikardoWhile I thank the hon. Gentleman for that reply, may I ask him whether he will do his best to see that in the meanwhile, so far as is possible, the nuisance to the neighbourhood caused by animals making noise at night is mitigated?
§ Dr. HillYes, Sir. We are doing our utmost to mitigate any inconvenience and nuisance in the meantime.