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64
having regard to the needs both of persons requiring the use of such
facilities and of other persons and (b) the slaughterhouse facilities which
are or are likely to become available to meet these requirements.
In October and November, 1959 the neighbouring local authorities
were consulted on whether they were contemplating providing a municipal
abattoir or slaughterhouse in their areas ; none was. These authorities
were the Borough councils of Ealing, Hendon, Watford and Wembley ;
the Urban District council of Ruislip and Northwood and the Rural
District councils of Elstree and Watford.
In April, some members of the Public Health Committee met representatives
of trade interests to discuss the slaughterhouse facilities in the
district when it was agreed that though the existing slaughterhouses were
badly sited, little could be done about their closure until a decision had
been taken about providing a new central slaughterhouse.
Following this meeting, a report was prepared which was accepted by
the Council and forwarded to the Minister. In regard to future demands
it was felt that although in recent years some local butchers who at one
time obtained their supplies from Smithfield, are dealing with the occupiers
of local slaughterhouses, many of the butchers shops in the Borough are
under the control of the larger companies who supply their branches
from slaughterhouses out of Harrow or from their own cold storage
depots. Because of the proximity of Harrow to the London docks and
the main meat depots in the metropolis, it was felt that the arrangements
are likely to continue. For this reason it was considered that no additional
slaughterhouses were needed, though extensions to existing slaughterhouses
might be necessary.
In regard to the bringing up to today's standards the existing
slaughterhouses, the Council recommended that the Minister should
appoint January 1st, 1962 as the date upon which the construction
regulations should apply to the four slaughterhouses in the district.
Renewal of Licences
The licences for the slaughterhouses at 46 High Street. Wealdstone
and 7 Northolt Road, South Harrow were renewed by the Public Health
Committee at their January meeting for twelve months ; that at Dennis
Lane, Stanmore for six months but that for 111 Stanmore Hill, Stanmore,
was not renewed as the work to enable Regulation 22(c) of the Slaughterhouses
(Hygiene) Regulations, 1958 and Regulation 3 of the Slaughter
of Animals (Prevention of Cruelty) Regulations to be complied with had
not been done.
Meat Inspectors
Much of the meat killed in this country is not inspected by Public
Health Inspectors before it leaves the slaughterhouse. Until there are
more inspectors, or until slaughtering is centralised, some meat will not