HC Deb 09 February 1939 vol 343 cc1133-4W
Sir M. Sueter

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) whether his attention has been drawn to the enormous losses suffered by the agricultural industry as the result of diseases in livestock; and whether it is proposed that the recommendations on this subject made by the Inter-Departmental Committee on Veterinary Education should be implemented without delay;

(2) whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Inter-Departmental Committee on Veterinary Education estimate the losses associated with diseases of farm stock at£19,000,000 per annum for the United Kingdom alone; and whether he can give an assurance that veterinary education and research will be encouraged in the future by more liberal assistance from his Department than has been forthcoming in the past;

(3) whether, as a step towards the effective control and eradication of diseases of animals, he will arrange without delay to set up the special inquiry on unqualified veterinary practitioners recommended in the report of the Inter-Departmental Committee on Veterinary Education?

Sir R. Dorman-Smith

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, to questions asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Hitchin (Sir A. Wilson) on 1st February.