§ Mr. WATERSONasked the Minister of Food if he is aware that the dead weight of sheep sent into the market by the farmer is graded by a Grading Committee whilst the sheep are still alive, the result being that the sheep when killed have been as much as 16 lbs. less than the graded weight; and, seeing that butchers by Law are compelled to give 16 ozs. to the lb. and have no choice but to take the sheep allotted, with the probability, if he refuses, of his licence being cancelled and his customers transferred to another, and that he has no hope of redress, will he see his way clear to alter this system, and the real dead weight of the sheep he accepted?
§ Mr. McCURDYAll control over the sale of livestock ceased as from 4th July, and therefore any difficulties associated with the system of grading livestock no longer exist. I cannot, however, accept the suggestions made by the hon. Member as a correct representation of what occurred under that system.