§ 6.38 p.m.
§ VISCOUNT BLEDISLOEhad the following questions on the paper:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government whether, in view of the crying need for a substantial improvement in the relatively low quantity and quality of our home milk supply which is admittedly due in no small measure to the prevalence of preventable bovine disease and the paucity of qualified veterinarians in this country, it is proposed, without further delay, to carry into effect the recommendations of the Reports of the Love-day Committee on Veterinary Education in Great Britain, the last of which was published in April, 1944.
§ To ask His Majesty's Government whether, in implementing the recommendations of the Loveday Committee on Veterinary Education in Great Britain, they will consider favourably, in view of the high number and value of farm livestock in the Principality of Wales and the extreme paucity of its qualified veterinary 728 practitioners, the establishment of a School of Veterinary Science in the University of Wales in addition to those contemplated at Cambridge and Bristol Universities.
§ The noble Viscount said: My Lords, I beg to put the two questions standing in my name, and perhaps I might be allowed, in doing so, on behalf of the agricultural Peers in this House, to welcome the noble Earl, Lord Huntingdon, to the Front Bench and to wish him all success.
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY OF THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES (THE EARL OF HUNTINGDON)My Lords, I should like first to convey my thanks to the noble Viscount for his compliments and good wishes and to assure him that I appreciate them very much indeed. I hope that we shall be able to hear and to avail ourselves of the extremely valuable advice and experience of the agricultural Peers in the rather difficult days ahead.
In answer to the noble Viscount's first question, I should like to say that my right honourable friend, the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, is aware that diseases of dairy cows are responsible for a heavy loss of milk, much of it avoidable, and he is fully alive to the importance of extending and improving the Veterinary services of the country with a view to reducing this and other losses. The noble Viscount, being familiar with the recommendations of the Loveday Committee, will also be aware that some of them relate to matters on which there are divergent, but firmly held, opinions within the veterinary profession. The Loveday recommendations have been under discussion for some time with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and the universities concerned, but so far agreement has not been reached. My right honourable friend still hopes, however, to avoid the unfortunate position that might arise if he found himself compelled to proceed without the support of some of those concerned, and he has, in fact, invited representatives of the Royal College to see him as soon as possible in the hope of arriving at a satisfactory solution.
In answer to the second question I should like to say that the Loveday Committee recommended that, in addition to veterinary schools at the four existing centres in Great Britain, two new schools 729 should be established within the Universities of Cambridge and Bristol, respectively. The Committee considered representations urging the establishment of a veterinary school in Wales, but reached the conclusion that the school at Liverpool University would continue to attract students from North Wales, and that the proposed new school at Bristol, in addition to catering for South-West England, would also meet the needs of South Wales. The Committee added, however, that if further schools were needed!, Wales, among other areas, would have to, be further considered. The provision of the two new centres at Cambridge and Bristol would result in a substantial increase in the output of veterinary graduates and my right honourable friend is of opinion that the establishment of still further centres should not be necessary at present.
§ VISCOUNT BLEDISLOEMy Lords. I have to thank the noble Earl for his reply. I give notice that in the course of the next three months I shall open a debate cm this subject.