HC Deb 22 July 1957 vol 574 cc9-10
13. Mr. Hayman

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he proposes to lay before Parliament new Regulations prescribing minimum standards for slaughterhouse construction.

18. Mr. Kimball

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will give particulars of the statutory standards he intends to lay before Parliament for the construction and equipment of slaughterhouses.

21. Mr. J. E. B. Hill

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he can yet specify the standards recommended for the construction and equipment of new slaughterhouses.

Mr. Amory

I would refer the hon. Member and my hon. Friends to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Norfolk, South (Mr. J. E. B. Hill)on 30th May.

Mr. T. Williams

When the new Regulations are provided, will the Minister encourage the building of the slaughterhouses refered to therein?

Mr. Amory

I am very anxious that the slaughterhouse improvements should be proceeded with as quickly as possible, subject, I am afraid, to the necessity for capital restrictions upon local authorities.

Mr. Williams

I hope the Minister is well aware of the fact that many of the existing slaughterhouses being used at present are utterly out of date and hopelessly uneconomic for their purpose?

Mr. Amory

I am afraid that that is true.

Mr. G. R. Howard

When he is making these Regulations, will my right hon. Friend consider the necessity for the closest possible co-operation being maintained with the planning authorities in order to see that when new slaughterhouses are built, the planning authorities, simply because there is no co-operation, do not build houses next-door to these slaughterhouses, thereby causing nuisance and hardship to the people coming to those houses?

Mr. Amory

Yes. The planning aspect is a very important one.

Mr. Willey

In view of the assurance given in the White Paper last year, will the Minister assure the House now that legislation will be introduced in the next Session to deal with slaughterhouses?

Mr. Amory

I repeat what I stated before, namely, that it is my hope that legislation will be introduced at the earliest possible moment that our Parliamentary time-table makes possible.