Mr. De la Bèreasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that, in view of the price obtainable for meat classified as unfit for human consumption which is provided for dogs and for which up to 1s. 4d. per pound is obtainable, some farmers find it more profitable to classify their animals as unhealthy and so obtain a better price than by selling them for human consumption; what method he proposes to adopt to deal with this; and whether he will consider improving the prices of animals that are sold for the purpose of providing meat for human consumption?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI am aware that dogs meat is being sold to owners of dogs at high prices and that some cows which might be fit for human consumption may be finding their way to knackers' yards for this trade. Measures to prevent any abuse of this kind are at present being examined. In reply to the last part of my hon. Friend's Question, the prices of lower grade cows have recently been increased.