§ Sir R. Glynasked the Minister of Food what was the total number of licensed slaughterhouses in 1938; what was the number in January, 1947; and what were the respective totals of animals sent for slaughter in those periods.
§ Mr. StracheyBefore the war, private slaughterhouses were licensed by local authorities and I regret that I have no precise information as to their number. It has been estimated that the number of slaughterhouses in use in 1938 was about 16,000. The slaughterhouses now in use number 606. Animals slaughtered for human consumption in 1938 numbered 1,924,000 cattle, 837,200 calves, 9,963,200 sheep and 2,589,600 pigs. I regret that the numbers of animals slaughtered in January, 1947, are not yet available, but I will let the hon. Member have the figures as soon as possible.