HC Deb 18 January 1996 vol 269 cc679-80W
Mr. McMaster

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what guidance he intends to issue to(a) Departments, (b) executive agencies,

November 1995 December 1995
Number visits Number unsatisfactory visits Percentage unsatisfactory Number visits Number unsatisfactory visits Percentage unsatisfactory
Slaughterhouses 365 44 12 272 17 6
Hunt kennels and knackeries 234 38 19 193 14 7

Many of the failings found were of a comparatively mild nature, for example problems with staining SBOs or with record keeping. There were, however, some more serious cases, including incidents in which small pieces of spinal cord were left attached to carcases after dressing in slaughterhouses. Eight such instances were detected in November and two in December, the most recent on 14 December. There have been none so far in January 1996. A total of 21 instances in which spinal cord was left attached to carcases have now been detected since the SVS surveillance programme of slaughterhouses began in the summer.

(c) non-departmental public bodies and (d) outside bodies and arm's-length organisations which he has responsibility for, or an interest in, regarding the implementation of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995; and if he will make a statement. [9230]

Mr. Douglas Hogg

I refer to the answer given by the Minister for Social Security and Disabled People, on 15 January 1996,Official Report, column 417. I shall ensure that my Department, and any bodies for which it is responsible, will be made aware of their responsibilities under the Act.

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