§ MR. JUSTIN M'CARTHY (Longford, N.)asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether it is intended to reduce the number of Senior Vete- 10 rinary Surgeons in India, and to supply their places with Junior Veterinary Surgeons from the Indian Civil Service; and, whether, at present, the number of skilled surgeons is found insufficient for the work, owing to the amount of contagious disease among elephants, horses, and mules?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. STAFFORD HOWARD) (Gloucester, Thornbury)As was stated to the House on March 12 last, in reply to a Question from the hon. and gallant Member for Holborn (Colonel Duncan), a reduction in the Veterinary Establishment in India has been sanctioned by the Secretary of State in Council, on the recommendation of the Government of India. There is, however, so far as I am aware, no desire to alter the existing proportions of senior and junior officers in the Department. There is at present no Civil Veterinary Department in India; but the creation of a Civil branch of the Service is at present under consideration. No representation has been made by the Government of India that the number of skilled surgeons in the country is insufficient.