§ Mr. J. Lewisasked the Minister of Food if he is aware that the condition of many of the abattoirs throughout the country, taken over by his Department at the outbreak of the last war, is unsatisfactory, but that local authorities are reluctant to take active steps in the building of new abattoirs because of the uncertainty which exists owing to the failure on the part of the Government to make 93W clear their plans for the future of the livestock industry; and if he will make a statement of his intentions in this matter.
§ Mr. StracheyI am aware that the condition of some of the slaughterhouses used by my Department is not altogether satisfactory, but approval could not be given to any far reaching programme for the rebuilding of slaughterhouses while labour and materials are needed for other more urgent work. In accordance with94W the statement I made on 8th August 1947 a few local authorities are being encouraged to go ahead with plans for the erection of new slaughterhouses where present facilities are seriously inadequate and where a public slaughterhouse would clearly fit in with any likely long term scheme. No final decision on future slaughtering policy can be taken until the Government's long term food plans have been prepared.