§ 66. Mr. Spenceasked the Secretary of State for Scotland under what arrangements the slaughter of horses is carried out in Scotland.
§ Miss HerbisonThe slaughter of horses for human food is carried out in Scotland at four slaughterhouses; other horses are slaughtered at some 20 knackeries. In both cases, the businesses are licensed and supervised by the local authorities.
§ 67. Mr. Spenceasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total number of horses slaughtered in Scotland for the last convenient six-monthly period, showing the total number under two years old and the total number killed under permit for human consumption.
§ Miss HerbisonThe latest information is that contained in the Report of the Rosebery Committee, which shows that some 4,800 horses were slaughtered in Scotland for human consumption in the first six months of 1949. Records of the ages of horses slaughtered are not kept. I have no information about the number of horses slaughtered in Scotland for purposes other than human consumption.