§ Sir R. GOWERasked the Minister of Health whether, following the report of the Meat Re-organisation Committee, it 620W is his intention to set up a commission or committee to inquire into the question of where it is desirable public abattoirs shall be provided; and, if so, when he proposes to announce its constitution and terms of reference?
Sir H. YOUNGI presume my hon. Friend refers to the National Slaughterhouses Commission, the appointment of which is recommended in the recent report of the Fat Stock Re-organisation Commission. I will consider this matter in conjunction with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, but I am not at present in a position to make any further statement.
§ Sir R. GOWERasked the Minister of Health whether he has come to any general decision regarding applications made to him by local authorities for sanctions to borrow money for the purpose of erecting and equipping public abattoirs in their areas; and whether he is prepared to consider any particular application for such sanction where the local authority represents to him that it is desirable a public abattoir shall be erected at once?
Sir H. YOUNGI am prepared in suitable cases, especially where the matter appears to be urgent on public health grounds, to consider applications from local authorities for sanction to loans for the erection and equipment of public abattoirs.
§ Sir R. GOWERasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that recently the corporation of Guildford passed a resolution that plans should be prepared for the erection of a public abattoir on a particular site and that estimates for building and equipping it should be obtained, but subsequently the corporation were informed by his Department that a loan for the purpose could not be sanctioned at present; and whether, in view of the urgent need, he will consider informing the corporation that he will now be prepared to consider an application in due form for sanction for a loan for this purpose?
Sir H. YOUNGThis matter was discussed last November at an interview between members of the town council and officers of my Department, but I am not 621W aware of any resolution passed by the council on the subject. If the council desire sanction to a loan for the erection of a public slaughter house, I will certainly consider their application.