§ Sir R. Glynasked the Minister of Food (1) what are the regulations of his Department concerning the slaughter of horses and ponies for human consumption; what shops are permitted to retail horseflesh; and how many of these animals are being slaughtered on the average each month; (2) whether he accepts responsibility for the examination of horses and ponies prior to slaughter if the carcases are to be sold for human food; what are the arrangements made for collecting these animals and consigning them by road or rail to approved slaughter-houses; whether his Department has licensed these premises specially; and what is the total number throughout the country.
§ Mr. StracheyI have made no regulations about the slaughter of horses and ponies for human food, their examination before slaughter, or the licensing of premises where they are killed. Under the Food and Drugs Act, 1938, however, all slaughterhouses must be licensed by the local authorities. Shops which sell horseflesh for human consumption must be licensed by my Department, and may not sell horseflesh unfit for human consumption, or any other meat.14W Slaughterers make their own arrangements for collection and transport. I do not know the number of slaughter houses used, as they are not specially licensed for this purpose, nor the average number of horses slaughtered.