HC Deb 21 January 1943 vol 386 cc295-6
52. Mr. David

Adams asked the Minister of Agriculture whether veterinary investigation officers, now being appointed in many parts of the country, possess executive authority to ensure that farmers shall adopt methods to improve the conditions and preserve the lives of their stock and thus save annually large numbers of animals whose potential value in meat, wool, &c., is being lost to the country?

Mr. Hudson

Veterinary investigation officers do not possess such authority. Their duties are to conduct investigations and advisory work in their respective areas under my Department's scheme for the provision of technical advice to farmers?

Mr. Adams

Is the Minister aware that this voluntary method has been in operation during the last 100 years without much success, and does he not consider that some compulsion is essential to-day to save large quantities of stock which are dying?

Mr. Hudson

I have not been Minister of Agriculture for 100 years.