HC Deb 10 May 1954 vol 527 c845
34. Sir W. Smithers

asked the Minister of Food to which authorities he has given monopoly powers to operate the meat subsidy; and whether he will give similar authority to other authorities.

Dr. Hill

To none, Sir.

Sir W. Smithers

Is my hon. Friend quite sure that, in removing Government control, he is not setting up another control, equally vicious?

Dr. Hill

I do not know to what my hon. Friend is referring. If he is referring to the Fatstock Marketing Corporation which has been set up, then, if it proposes to buy and register stock from producers, it puts itself in exactly the same position as other traders and groups of traders.

35. Sir W. Smithers

asked the Minister of Food to what organisations he has given a monopoly to operate public slaughterhouses; and whether he will give like facilities to others.

Dr. Hill

To none, Sir.

Sir W. Smithers

Is my hon. Friend quite sure that, in removing Government control, he is not setting up another control, equally vicious?

Dr. Hill

Under the Food and Drugs Act, 1938, local authorities were empowered to establish public slaughterhouses, a position which is being modified and extended by a Bill which is now before Parliament; but there is no question of a monopoly, in the sense in which my hon. Friend used the term, in this instance.

Mr. H. Hynd

As local authorities are allowed to set up public slaughterhouses, are they prohibited from doing their own slaughtering by direct labour?

Dr. Hill

No, Sir.