60. Captain CROOKSHANKasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the state of the buildings of the Royal Veterinary College in London, some of which have been condemned by the London County Council, and to the consequent difficulties with which the college is faced in carrying on the work of assisting agriculture through the spread of veterinary science; whether he is aware of the grants made by the Governments of all other European countries towards veterinary science; and whether it is the intention of the Government to make any grants 1523 from the Development Fund, the Empire Marketing Board Fund, or from any other funds at their disposal, to assist in rebuilding the Royal Veterinary College in London, and to help the further spread of veterinary knowledge?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Guinness)I am well acquainted with the unsatisfactory condition of the buildings of the Royal Veterinary College and of the consequent difficulties under which the college labours; both my predecessor and I have conferred with the governors of the college on the subject. The governors are endeavouring to obtain the necessary funds to rebuild the college, and the Ministry has promised a grant of £35,000 on a £ for basis towards the fund which the governors are raising. I have no exact information as to the extent of the State grants made to similar institutions on the Continent, but my hon. and gallant Friend may rest assured that I appreciate the importance of this subject, and will do everything in my power to assist the college.