View report page

of all or some of the Local Authorities in South West Essex. This
conference was attended by representatives of Barking, Chigwell,
Chingford, Dagenham, East Ham, Ilford, Leyton, Romford. Walthamstow,
Wanstead and Woodford and West Ham.
An exploratory committee was formed, and a technical advisory
committee set up to deal with legal, veterinary, engineering and
financial advice. The outcome was a meeting with the Ministry of
Food, in which the Local Authorities representatives were informed
that the arrangements were adequate, but if an extension was necessary
they might make use of the L.C.S. abattoir at Leytonstone.
The matter was not pursued further, it being considered advisable
to await a decision of the Ministry of Food upon the future of
slaughtering.
On 22nd July, 1954, another meeting was called to reconsider the
whole matter, this being held at the Town Hall, West Ham. After
an outline of the past had been given by the chairman, each delegate
gave details as to the position as to slaughtering in their areas, and
although the area covered is so large, covering all Metropolitan
Essex except Hornchurch, only 25 premises were licenced by Local
Authorities, 4 applications were outstanding and 14 slaughterhouses
were operating.
The conference resolved to adjourn so that information on specific
aspects relating to the provision of an abattoir could be collected and
collated for report. It also agreed that this should be carried out by
the Town Clerk of West Ham.
A further meeting was held on 9th December, when Hornchurch
U.D.C. joined the conference. The discussion centred around the facts
collected after the previous meeting.
The conference was informed that the final report of the InterDenartmental
Committee on Slaughterhouses was expected shortly,
and it was resolved 'That the conference stand adjourned and that a
sub-committee consisting of one representative from each constituent
I oral Authority be set up to consider the recommendations of the
Inter-Departmental Committee on Slaughterhouses (when known)
and report back to the conference.
Slaughtering Facilities—Wanstead & Woodford Area
Because of the Ministry of Food decision to decontrol slaughtering,
a suggestion was made to Local Authorities that they ascertain what
slaughtering facilities would be required to enable the distribution
of home killed meat to proceed smoothly.
A circular letter was sent to all butchers in the Borough inviting
them to attend a meeting to be held on 18th April, 1954 at the Municipal
Offices.
Some 36 letters were sent out, but only 12 purveyors attended the
meeting, which was conducted by the Chairman of the Public Health
Committee.
21