§ * MR. JOHNSON-FERGUSON (Leicestershire, Loughborough)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he is aware that the number of veterinary advisers to the Board of Agriculture has been reduced during the past year, by death or retirement, from three to one; and, whether, considering the important nature of the duties performed by these officials, it is his intention to fill up the vacancies as soon as possible.
* MR. LONGIn addition to the Veterinary Inspectors at the Ports, whose services have always been drawn upon in times of emergency, we have now at our entire disposal the services of six veterinary inspectors in addition to the chief and assistant veterinary officers, as against the three veterinary officers employed prior to the retirement of Sir George Brown in 1894. A vacancy has arisen in the position of assistant veterinary officer which will be filled without unnecessary delay, but in the meantime we have no difficulty in making provision for the work which requires to be done.