HC Deb 18 March 1957 vol 567 cc7-9
10. Mr. Iremonger

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many of the 26 licences to existing employees of the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals which he was recommended in paragraph 77 of the Report of the Committee on Licences under Section 7 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act, 1948, to issue, have, in fact, been issued.

Mr. Amory

The recommendation referred to covered the period to the end of 1953 after which, the Committee concluded, there would be sufficient veterinary surgeons to meet the needs of animal welfare societies provided use was made of part-time services. Seventeen licences were applied for shortly after the Committee reported and these were granted. One further licence was applied for in 1953 and this was not granted.

Mr. Iremonger

Does not my right hon Friend recognise that these 26 licences were all virtually promised as a result of the Report of the Champion Committee and that the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals has very good grounds for grievance in the withholding of further licences? Will my right hon. Friend reconsider his whole attitude in regard to this matter?

Mr. Amory

I believe that all the licences which were applied for immediately, namely 17, were granted.

Mr. Champion

Were the 17 licences which were granted limited to the ten-year period as recommended by the Committee?

Mr. Amory

I believe they were the terms on which they were granted in accordance with, I think, the recommendations of the Committee over which the hon. Gentleman presided.

Mr. Iremonger

Does my right hon. Friend maintain that the ten-year period was to be the period for which the licences were granted or the period during which applications might be made?

Mr. Amory

I would prefer to look into that point and let my hon. Friend know.

11 and 12. Mr. Iremonger

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will make a statement on the availability of the services of full-time veterinary surgeons with reference to paragraph 75 of the Report of the Committee on Licences under Section 7 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act, 1948;

(2) if he will make a statement on the availability of the services of part-time veterinary surgeons with reference to paragraph 75 of the Report of the Committee on Licences under Section 7 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act, 1948.

Mr. Amory

The number of veterinary surgeons registered in the United Kingdom at the end of 1956 was about 6,000, which is about 1,000 more than in 1949 and about 650 more than when the Committee on Licences reported at the beginning of 1952. There is still a strong demand for veterinary surgeons, but I see no reason why the part-time services of a considerable number of those in private practice should not be available to animal welfare societies.

Mr. Iremonger

Does not my right hon. Friend recognise that the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food recommended against the use of part-time services in this connection when it was negotiated before the introduction of the Veterinary Surgeons Bill, and is he now discounting this whole consideration when applications are made for licences under Section 7.

Mr. Amory

I am bound to say that my present view is that the use of qualified veterinary surgeons on a part-time basis will provide a very great deal of help to the P.D.S.A.

Mr. Dodds

Does not the Minister appreciate that this organisation which has done some wonderful work is being crippled because the Minister will not be sympathetic to its claims, which are based largely on helping the sick animals of poor people?

Mr. Amory

I agree with the hon. Gentleman as to the good work which this society has done, but I cannot agree with the view expressed in the last part of his question.

Captain Duncan

Would it not be true to say that every other animal society uses only qualified veterinary surgeons for whole-time or part-time services and that there is no reason for a special exemption in the case of this society?

Mr. Peart

Is the Minister aware that if this organisation paid salaries of a reasonable kind, as does the R.S.P.C.A., it might be able to solve its difficulties and get whole-time veterinary surgeons? Is the right hon. Gentleman further aware that the veterinary profession is prepared to negotiate with this body about part- time service and is quite willing to look at the problem objectively?

Mr. Amory

I think the whole House will be anxious to ensure as far as it can that sick animals receive the benefit of treatment by qualified veterinary officers as far as ever possible.