HC Deb 20 September 1948 vol 456 cc19-20W
86. Mr. Peter Freeman

asked the Minister of Food how many slaughterhouses have been condemned as unsatisfactory but cannot be closed until new buildings are erected.

Mr. Strachey

I do not know whether any private slaughterhouses have been condemned by local authorities. Some of the slaughterhouses used by my Department are not altogether satisfactory but I cannot say how many of them would be closed if new alternative premises could be built.

101. Mr. J. Lewis

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that the abattoir in Bolton, consisting of sixteen separate slaughterhouses, was opened in 1877, and since it was taken over by his Department has, together with the Co-operative Society abattoir, served not only Bolton, but Horwich, Westhoughton, Turton and Little Lever also, and both of these still are capable of providing only about one-fifth of the ration for the area; if he will state and make clear to the local authority concerned his intentions in this matter; and facilitate the building of a new abattoir to cope with the requirements of the area.

Mr. Strachey

I know that this local authority slaughterhouse was built in 1877, and that together with the Co-operative Society slaughterhouse it provides home killed meat for the County Borough of Bolton and the four neighbouring urban districts mentioned. These slaughterhouses, however, are capable of covering practically the whole of the rationed meat requirements of the districts concerned, if necessary. The condition of the local authority slaughterhouse is not considered to be so unsatisfactory as to warrant immediate reconstruction.

109. Mr. F. Willey

asked the Minister of Food what steps are being taken to improve the condition of slaughterhouses in Sunderland.

Mr. Strachey

Considerable improvements have been carried out since the Ministry of Food took over these slaughterhouses. Only recently a number of jobs were completed, including the provision of W.C.'s, wash hand basins and mess rooms; and further work on drainage and sanitary arrangements and and the re-cementing of floors is now in hand.