§ 19 and 20. Mr. Haymanasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what steps he is taking to obtain from medical officers of health who have submitted incomplete reports for 1956 full details about inspection of meat;
(2) what steps he is taking to get outstanding annual reports of medical officers of health for 1956.
§ Mr. GodberMy right hon. Friend the Minister of Health informs me that medical officers of health whose reports did not indicate the proportion of meat inspected have been asked for further details, and if, after the end of this month there are outstanding annual reports in respect of 1956, he will issue a reminder.
§ Mr. HaymanWill the Parliamentary Secretary bear in mind that it seems an extraordinary state of affairs that a Parliamentary Question has to be put down fifteen months after the reports are due before action seems to be taken, especially when 25 per cent, of the meat coming from slaughterhouses outside county boroughs is uninspected?
§ Mr. GodberI am sorry there has been this delay. The hon. Gentleman will be glad to know that my Department—as I have indicated on other occasions—is sending a special questionnaire to all local authorities relating to meat inspection in 1957. We hope to get that information fairly quickly.
§ Mr. WilleyCan the hon. Gentleman assure us that he is taking steps to provide for complete meat inspection by the time the Report stage of the Slaughterhouses Bill is reached?
§ Mr. GodberWe had better wait until we reach the Report stage.