§ 54. Sir G. Jeffreysasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is satisfied that a sufficient number of veterinary surgeons will be produced under the existing machinery in order to provide sufficient qualified persons to maintain the health of livestock in this country in the postwar period; and what steps in particular he has taken or proposes to take to assist and develop the work being undertaken by the Veterinary Educational Trust in this direction.
Mr. HudsonMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I asked the Committee on Veterinary Education in January, 1943, to resume their sittings and to review the recommendations made in their report published in 1938. The Committee have now made their second report, which will be presented as a Command Paper in the course of the next few days. While the Government views with sympathy the activities 372 of the Veterinary Educational Trust, this is an independent organisation.
§ Sir G. JeffreysIs it not a fact that quite recently demands have been made for veterinary practitioners to join the Army Veterinary Corps? Will this not cause a shortage in some districts?
Mr. HudsonYes, I am afraid there is a serious shortage of veterinary surgeons, and a great deal of development and valuable new projects are being held up because of that lack. It is for that reason that my right hon. Friend and I asked the Committee to sit again and review their recommendations. I think my hon. and gallant Friend will find great interest in their report when it is published.