Mr. PALMERasked the Minister of Food what is to become of the slaughterhouses which have been managed by his Department as part of the system of control, and have been leased to certain co-operative societies, when meat is decontrolled; and whether, in view of the fact that a considerable profit has been made on their management, he will consider the advisability of putting these slaughter-houses up to public auction?
§ Mr. McCURDYThe management of slaughter-houses is being relinquished by the Ministry of Food on the occasion of the removal of control of livestock and home-killed meat on 4th July next. Certain farmers' co-operative societies have signified their desire to take over the management and direction of some of these slaughter-houses, and will, on the withdrawal of the Ministry's officials therefrom, proceed to make such arrangements between the proprietors of such slaughter-houses and themselves as will be mutually acceptable. As the Minister of Food has not possessed, and does not possess, any tenant right or proprietorship in any slaughter-house, the question contained in the last paragraph does not arise.