§ Lord Houghton of Sowerbyasked Her Majesty's Government:
434WAof the Home Office working party on the establishment of an independent element in the investigation of complaints against the police.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Belstead)The working party was appointed by my right honourable friend the Home Secretary to consider how the Police Complaints Board's recommendation for an independent element in the investigation into complaints against the police might be implemented. The chairman, Lord Plowden, was appointed in a personal capacity. The occupation of each of the other members is as follows:
Whether they have sought, or been offered, any views on the spread of Islamic slaughterhouses from the National Farmers' Union.
§ Lord Houghton of Sowerbyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the growth of Islamic ritual-slaughter-houses for the slaughter of farm animals for export is under consideration by the Farm Animals Welfare Council and, if so, when they are likely to make a report.
Earl FerrersI understand that the Farm Animal Welfare Council intends, as part of its review of the welfare of farm animals at the place of slaughter, to consider all the welfare aspects of slaughter by religious methods. I cannot say when the council's report will be completed nor whether they are likely to express a view on the specific subject to which the noble Lord refers.