§ 41. Mr. H. Hyndasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is yet in a position to issue regulations providing for charges to be made by a local authority for the inspection of meat: or, alternatively, whether he will allow local authorities to adopt byelaws in respect of private slaughterhouses.
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. D. Heathcoat Amory)As the hon. Member knows, I am awaiting the report of the Interdepartmental Committee on the Siting of Slaughterhouses before coming to a decision on this matter. I hope to receive the report shortly.
§ Mr. HyndIs the Minister aware that I have had to put down this Question several times already? Can he say how often I shall still have to put it down?
Mr. AmoryI do not at all resent the hon. Gentleman's prodding, because I am as anxious as he that we should find a solution to this problem. I assure him that I feel no inclination to stall in reaching a decision as soon as we can, and I hope to receive the report next month.
Mr. T. WilliamsIs the Minister satisfied that there is adequate inspection of meat killed in these 4,500 new slaughterhouses?
Mr. AmoryI do not regard the present slaughterhouse position as entirely satisfactory in a number of respects and that is why I am very anxious to receive the report of this Interdepartmental Committee.