§ 29. Mr. Darlingasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many slaughterhouses have been opened or reopened under the terms and Regulations of the Slaughterhouses Act, 1958; and how many of these are classed as small, medium and large, respectively.
§ Mr. GodberIt is too soon to have any statistics on the effect of this legislation. As the hon. Gentleman knows, under Regulations recently laid, my right hon. Friend will obtain statistics about slaughterhouses, but these will not be available for at least twelve months.
§ Mr. DarlingAre we to understand from that that the Minister has not the faintest idea what applications are being made, what local authorities are doing, or how many slaughterhouses are being built all over the country?
§ Mr. GodberNo, I do not think the hon. Member should understand that. My right hon. Friend knows a great deal about what is happening. We want to get all the statistics collated as a whole, but I am satisfied with the progress that is being made. I have had the pleasure of opening a few of these slaughterhouses which were built as a result of the Act of 1958, and I know they are a great improvement on the old ones.