Mr. Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any local authorities in Scotland have entered into contracts for the sale of the meat of animals slaughtered under the terms of the tuberculosis orders and for which animals they are required to pay compensation; whether there is any doubt as to the fitness of such meat for human consumption; and, if so, whether he will take steps to prevent such meat being offered for sale?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonI have been asked to reply. It is not the usual practice of local authorities to enter into formal contracts for the sale of meat of animals slaughtered under the Tuberculosis Order of 1925, and so far as I am aware only two local authorities in Scotland have made such contracts. The Tuberculosis Order of 1925 (No. 2) provides that where a local authority proposes to slaughter an animal under the Order and to dispose of its carcase, or any part thereof, for human consumption, notice of the time and place of intended slaughter shall be given to the Public Health local authority, and further provides that the carcase of the animal or any part thereof shall not be removed from the slaughterhouse for human consumption except with permission, in writing, of the medical officer of of health or other competent officer of the authority having power to inspect and examine meat intended for human consumption. Where a Meat Inspector has been appointed by a Public Health local authority in Scotland, the permission to be obtained is the permission of the Meat Inspector.