asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking, in consultation with the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, to safeguard and improve the standard of the hygienic transport of meat in Scotland, following the dissolution of the Meat Transport Organisation Limited.

In considering applications for goods vehicle licences, the licensing authorities take questions of hygiene into consideration. As stated in the reply given to the hon. Member on 9th February, I am, however, considering, along with the Minister of Food, what can be done to improve generally the hygienic standard of meat transport.