§ Sr A. HOLBROOKasked the Minister of Health whether he will introduce legislation 1006W by which Clause 9b of the Ministry of Health Bye-laws (Slaughter-houses) shall be enforced by all local authorities: and whether he will make provision for the suitable inspection of slaughterhouses and that all slanghtermen shall be licensed?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe general question affecting the humane slaughtering of animals is at present under the consideration of the Government, and I cannot undertake to introduce the legislation suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend. Inspection of slaughter-houses is already a duty of local authorities. The licensing of slaughtermen was one of the questions considered by the Departmental Committee on Meat Inspection in 1921, but they inclined to the view that such licensing was unnecessary.