§ Mr. Saltasked the Minister of Food whether, now that the number of animals slaughtered in the central abattoirs has so greatly increased, due to the closing of private slaughter-houses, this work is operating under satisfactory conditions; and how Birmingham and other large centres of population are affected?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonThe answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part of the Question, I can assure my hon. Friend that the supplies of home-killed meat in Birmingham and other large centres have been supplemented by imported meat whenever this has proved necessary to provide a reasonable quantity for the population concerned. Where temporary shortages have occurred during the recent severe weather these have been caused, not by the inadequacy of the slaughtering arrangements, but by the difficulties of moving livestock from the farms to the collecting centres or imported meat from the docks or cold stores to the distributing depots.
§ Mr. Grovesasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of the serious discontent among retail butchers in the County Borough of West Ham as a result of the serious shortage of meat; and will he consider some change in the local arrangements in order that more adequate supplies are made available?
§ Mr. MorrisonI have made inquiries and find that the officials of my Department responsible for the area have received no complaints as to shortages of meat by West Ham butchers. The quantity of meat available at the wholesale depot serving this area has been suffi-1168W cient for all registered customers of the butchers linked to the depot. If the hon. Member has information respecting any specific complaints, I shall be glad if he will furnish me with particulars.