§ 20. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many factory farms there are in Scotland; and how often each is visited, on average per year, 1270 to ensure that there is no cruelty in the methods employed to prepare the animals for the market.
§ Mr. NobleAs was indicated in reply to a Question by the right hon. Member for Clackmannan and East Stirling (Mr. Woodburn) on 29th April, while there has been some development of intensive broiler and egg production, there is nothing in Scotland which can be described as a factory farm, although there are one or two projects now being developed which might be described as such.
§ Mr. RankinWill the right hon. Gentleman take a close interest in this sort of development to see that the conditions which prevail in Scotland are an improvement on those now prevailing in England? Will these projects be rated as industrial projects? Are they qualified for farm subsidies? Will the right hon. Gentleman take note of the cruelty in the rearing of these animals? Is he aware that during their brief lives veal calves under this system are kept in almost continuous darkness, seeing daylight for only two brief half-hours each day when they are fed? Will he see that these conditions are not recreated in Scotland?
§ Mr. NobleAs the hon. Gentleman knows, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and I are setting up a technical committee to study the problems of factory farms. I cannot answer the hon. Gentleman's question about rates and subsidies, should these farms be created in Scotland, because it is a hypothetical question.
§ Mr. RankinThe right hon. Gentleman says that the committee is just being set up. Is he aware that it is nearly two months since the Minister of Agriculture told me that, and that, evidently, nothing has been done so far? When is the committee to be created?
§ Mr. NobleAs soon as possible, my right hon. Friend or I will announce the membership to the House.