§ 1. Sir R. Grimstonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he takes to ensure that when veterinary officers who are not on the staff of his Department are instructed to carry out tests under the Tuberculosis (Attested Herds) Scheme, 1950, they are fully conversant with the terms of this scheme and of the financial provisions.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. J. B. Godber)Veterinary surgeons in private practice who act as local veterinary inspectors on behalf of my Department are given general guidance on the provisions of the Tuberculosis (Attested Herds) Scheme, 1950. Their duties in this connection are confined to the tuberculin testing of herds and do not extend to financial or administrative questions.
§ Sir R. GrimstonIs my hon. Friend aware that in my constituency a certain veterinary surgeon was given instructions last September to postpone carrying out these tests owing to the incidence of foot-and-mouth disease and, subsequently, another constituent of mine whose cattle were due to be tested by that veterinary surgeon was refused the capitation grant because the tests were out of time? Does 1386 not my hon. Friend think that that is very unjust and should be reconsidered?
§ Mr. GodberIn reply to the first part of the supplementary question, I was not aware of that and will be happy to look into the point. The second case, of which I was aware, I have had looked into. I do not think we can lay it down that these officers, who are private practitioners, shall be bound to inspect by a certain date, but I take the point made by my hon. Friend. My right hon. Friend is issuing a memorandum to these inspectors reminding them that only cattle which have passed the second, official, test by the statutory return date would qualify for capitation.
§ Sir R. GrimstonThen can my hon. Friend reopen the case?
§ Mr. GodberI do not think I could reopen the case I have in mind, but I should be glad to have notice of the other case.