asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the matter of humane slaughtering for cattle whether any special implement has been tested and approved: and is it the intention to legislate in favour of uniformity of method all over the country?

There is a model byelaw for the compulsory use of a mechanical instrument. Any local authority can adopt this bye-law, and over 140 have already done so. In the opinion of my right hon. Friend, it is not advisable to specify any particular instrument or, at the present time, to introduce legislation.

Is the number 140, to which the hon. Gentleman has referred, an increase in the last year or not?

Yes, I think that is so.