§ Mr. RATCLIFFEasked the Food Controller if he has agreed with the Agricultural Organisation Society to hand over to that body farmers' co-operative slaughterhouses for them to manage; if he has offered to pay for each slaughter-house £300 a year and all reasonable and necessary expenses; if the National Federation of Meat Traders is the proper body to undertake such management; and has the sanction of His Majesty's Treasury been obtained for the payments proposed?
Mr. ROBERTSIt has been arranged that while the control of live stock is maintained the Agricultural Organisation Society will undertake the management of a number of farmers' slaughter-houses, and that, subject to the management being satisfactory, the society will receive for its services a sum of £350 per annum in respect of each slaughter-house, together with all reasonable and necessary expenses. This arrangement has been made with the sanction of His Majesty's Treasury. I am not of opinion that the National Federation of Meat Traders is the proper body to take over the administration of farmers' co-operative slaughter-houses.