§ 57. Mr. Harrisonasked the Minister of Food if he will make inquiries in the Nottingham district to ascertain whether his officials and the local government authorities are taking every step to prevent the illegal slaughtering and sale of meat, as well as the slaughtering and sale of meat unfit for human consumption, in view of the recent cases that were brought to public notice at the Nottinghamshire Assize Court.
§ Dr. SummerskillThe prevention of illegal slaughtering and sale of meat is a matter for the enforcement officers of the Ministry of Food. Special attention has been given to this in the past year. The sale of meat unfit for human consumption is an offence under the Food and Drugs Act, which local authorities are responsible for enforcing. Ministry of Food enforcement officers have been instructed to co-operate to the fullest extent with the officers of local authorities. To strengthen the control over the disposal of meat from knackers' yards my right hon. Friend has made an order which comes into force on 19th December and which requires anyone carrying on a knacker's yard in England and Wales to hold a licence from the Ministry of Food and to keep records of his transactions. The publicity given to the case to which my hon. Friend refers and to another case at Burnley should have the effect of reminding local authorities of their responsibilities under the Food and Drugs Act. We are at present considering whether any additional action can usefully be taken in the Nottingham district or elsewhere.