§ 107. Mr. J. Lewisasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that there are four thousand slaughtermen at work in abattoirs who use on an average four knives each every year; that there are insufficient of these knives to meet the demand; that the steel being used for making the knives is of such poor quality that it results in hides and skins being cut and scored when flayed from the carcases, resulting in ruined leather; and will he take steps to ensure a ready supply of knives of the right type.
§ Mr. BelcherBecause of the overall shortage of steel and the great contribution to the drive for increased exports which the cutlery industry is making, there must, I regret to say, inevitably be a reduction in the supplies of cutlery at home, but the cutlery industry is doing its best to see that the essential home needs of tools of trade, including slaughterers' knives, are met. I was not aware of any falling off in the quality of slaughterers' knives, but if my hon. Friend254W will let me have particulars of any cases where difficulty is being experienced, I will look into them.