§ Mr. F. C. THOMSONasked the Food Controller under what authority he has granted licences for the slaughter of cattle and forbidden the slaughter of cattle except by slaughterers to whom licences have been granted by him?
Mr. ROBERTSLicences for premises for the slaughter of cattle have been granted, and slaughtering on unlicensed premises forbidden, by the Slaughterhouses (Licensing) Order. 1918, made by the Food Controller under the powers conferred upon him by the Defence of the Realm (Consolidation) Act, 1914, and the Regulations made there under.
§ Mr. PERKINSasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he has received any representations from farmers for the release of a slaughterhouse at Southampton where they may deal with their own live stock; whether the control is vested in the Board: and, if so, what reply he proposes to make to these representations?
Mr. ROBERTSI have been asked to reply. An application has been received for the transfer of a Government authorised slaughterhouse at Southampton to a Farmers' Co-operative Society. The general position of Government slaughterhouses is under immediate consideration, and a decision in the case of the Southampton slaughterhouse will be given as soon as possible.
§ Mr. PERKINSasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction aroused among farmers by the new calf Order which has now reduced the price of store and fat calves almost to vanishing point; and, in view of the amount of 1797W milk which will be used in rearing calves this autumn and winter which otherwise would be available for human food, will he consider the desirability of suspending the Order till next spring?
Mr. ROBERTSI have been asked to reply. The measures restricting the slaughter of calves were taken with a view to maintaining the head of stock in the country, and I am not prepared to adopt the proposal made by the hon. Member.