asked the Minister of Food what steps he is taking to get premises, not in use at the present time, which could be readily converted into suitable slaughterhouses.

The slaughterhouses now in use are adequate for the greater part of the year. Some congestion occurs during two or three months in the autumn when the number of stock sold by farmers for slaughter is at its peak, and we shall be prepared to open additional slaughterhouses at the peak period provided that slaughtermen are available.

Is the Minister satisfied that there is no cruelty in these slaughterhouses?

We are using all those that we think suitable. I think the hon. Gentleman will agree with me that this is not the time to launch a building campaign for slaughterhouses.

That was not my question. My question was: Is the Minister satisfied that there is no cruelty in these slaughterhouses?

We have a slaughterhouse manager in each slaughterhouse. I am assured that these men are very carefully chosen and they do their very best to ensure that the provisions made for protecting animals are observed.

asked the Minister of Food what inspection has been made recently of slaughtering arrangements at Southampton; and to what extent they were found unsatisfactory.

The slaughterhouses at Southampton were last visited by the acting area slaughterhouse agent on the 4th February, 1947. At premises situated in Spa Road, Southampton, a winch was found to be unserviceable and to require overhaul. The premises in Chantry Road are situated in a built up area and are overlooked from neighbouring dwelling houses. These premises are very confined, and the Medical Officer of Health has complained that at times when the river is high, refuse from the sewers is forced back into some of the low-lying property in the town. In reply to representations from the local authority we have indicated our willingness to close the Chantry Road premises.

Should not the Minister declare her anxiety to stop this, and not only her willingness?

Sir Waldron Smithers.

Should not the hon. Lady employ the managers to whom she has referred—

I called the hon. Member to ask the next Question.