§ LORD DOWDINGMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ [To ask His Majesty's Government whether they can now make the statement promised in the debate of November 16, 1950, concerning the outcome of their discussions with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, to prevent the recurrence of the suffering caused to animals through the breakdown of humanitarian arrangements during the peak period of slaughter.]
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER (VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGH)My Lords, a list of slaughterhouses where conditions were alleged to be unsatisfactory during the peak period of slaughter in 1950 was prepared by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. This list has been examined by the area officers of the Ministry of Food, and a summary of their reports on each slaughterhouse was supplied this month to the Society. Further discussions with the Society may be necessary on some of these cases, but I am confident that these consultations will be of great help in ensuring that all possible steps are taken to handle this year's peak kill with the least suffering to animals.
§ LORD DOWDINGMy Lords, whilst thanking the noble Viscount for his reply, may I ask whether the preparations which 629 are being made include any form of staggering the supply of animals to minimise the peak?
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, I have no information on that point, but I feel confident that it is one of the matters which will be raised by the Society during the consultations which are taking place. I have great sympathy with the objects of the noble Lord, and I hope all that is possible will be done.