§ 101. Mr. Spenceasked the Minister of Food what extra slaughterhouses were made available during the peak killing period for home-produced meat this year.
§ Mr. F. WilleyNine slaughterhouses have been re-opened at Aberdeen, Clay Cross, Long Eaton, Wigan, Mansfield, Neath, Tibshelf, Nottingham and Oldham.
§ 102. Mr. Spenceasked the Minister of Food what assurances were given to his Department by the trades unions of the slaughtering industry as to their ability to deal with the increase in home-killed meat this autumn.
§ Mr. F. WilleyIn March, 1950, the Joint Industrial Council for the slaughtering industry representing the employers and the employees assured my Department that it would use every effort to deal with the peak kill by utilising to the 301W full the services of the regular slaughtermen in existing abattoirs. The industry has fully co-operated with my Department.
§ 117. Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Food the average delay that occurred in October between the delivery of fat cattle to the Newbury Grading Centre and their slaughter; and if he will ensure that more adequate arrangements are made for handling fat stock in the period of peak supply next autumn.
§ Mr. F. WilleyDuring the first three weeks in October the average interval was about 3½ days, during which time the cattle were put on good grazing. The possibility of increasing our slaughtering capacity is under constant review and we are continually making improvements wherever possible.
§ 119. Mr. N. Macphersonasked the Minister of Food when a survey of slaughterhouses was last made and with what result; what his plans are for increasing the number; and what steps he is taking to ensure that existing slaughterhouses are used to capacity.
§ Mr. F. WilleyThe last survey was made during the past summer and as a result nine extra slaughterhouses have been brought into use. We are encouraging local authorities to erect slaughterhouses at certain places where the existing slaughtering facilities are seriously inadequate and there seems to be a permanent need for additional facilities. In addition, two model slaughterhouses are being erected by the Government at Fareham and Guildford. All practicable steps have been taken to ensure that existing slaughterhouses are used to capacity.
§ 124. Commander Maitlandasked the Minister of Food if his attention has been drawn to the criticism of his Department in the annual report of the medical officer of health for the Horncastle Urban District Council area; if he is aware that the attention of his Department was drawn to this matter last year; and what immediate steps he proposes to take to modernise the central abattoir in Horncastle.
§ Mr. F. WilleyI have seen the report. Improvements are being made to the Horncastle slaughterhouse.