HC Deb 13 March 1952 vol 497 cc161-2W
Mr. Philips Price

asked the Minister of Food whether he will arrange, with a view to preventing delay in the slaughter of accidentally-injured stock, that the name, address and telephone number of the slaughterman on duty shall be posted outside every abattoir when this is closed, and notified to all veterinary practitioners in the area served by it.

Major Lloyd George

It would not be practicable for my Department to undertake to provide a 24 hours service every day of the week at slaughterhouses and consequently provision is made in the Livestock (Restriction on Slaughtering) Order to permit casualty stock requiring immediate slaughter to be dealt with on the farm or elsewhere provided that within 24 hours the carcase is delivered to a Government slaughterhouse or notice is given to the nearest district chairman of auctioneers.

Local arrangements have been made voluntarily in many places by the slaughtering contractor, and in agreement with the farmers' organisation, for a slaughterman to deal with casualty animals outside normal working hours and for his name and address to be posted up outside the slaughterhouse.