§ Lieut.-Colonel M. J. WILSONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if the attention of the Board has been called to the wholesale slaughter of immature calves which is taking place at the present time; and whether it is proposed to take any steps in the matter, in view of the feared shortage of meat in the near future?
§ Mr. McCURDYI have been asked to reply. I cannot accept the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion that the wholesale slaugher of immature calves is taking place at the present time. The slaughter of calves is regulated by the Calves (Sales) Order, under which all calves must be killed in. Government authorised slaughter-houses; and it is possible that this centralisation of slaughter may make its extent appear greater than in fact it is. Government slaughter-house agents have been instructed to refuse to accept calves less than seven days old. Further, both the Ministry of Food and the Board of Agriculture are fully alive to the necessity for the rearing of as many calves as possible, and I am informed that the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries is considering the establishment of centres at which calves can be collected from districts in which they are not required for rearing and distributed to those parts of the country where they are in demand.