§ Captain Ellistonasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the apprehension which exists amongst whole-time municipal veterinary officers owing to difficulties which have arisen concerning the transfer to the State veterinary service; and, in view of the fact that he has extended invitations to only three whole-time veterinary officers of local authorities, he will take steps to implement the promise given during the Committee stage of the Agriculture Act and invite all whole-time veterinary officers to accept appointment under the Ministry?
Mr. W. S. MorrisonsAll whole-time veterinary officers employed by local authorities have been invited to submit applications for appointment on the Ministry's staff. All candidates for senior posts are being interviewed by a Selection Board which includes the three whole-time officers of local authorities to whom reference is made in the question, whose transfer to the Ministry has been expedited for that purpose. Whereas practically all the functions of the veterinary staffs of county councils are being transferred to the Ministry of Agriculture under Part IV of the Agriculture Act, 1937, there are certain functions of the veterinary staffs of borough councils and municipal corporations which are not so transferable. It will clearly be necessary for me to take that fact into account before reaching a final decision on the staff to be transferred, but I know of no justifiable cause for apprehension on those grounds.