§ Sir H. Morris-Jonesasked the Minister of Agriculture what steps his Department is taking to diminish the losses in hill sheep through disease; and whether a research centre will be established in a hill sheep farming area in Wales to train veterinary experts and secure better liaison with the farmers in this branch of agriculture?
Mr. HudsonSpecial attention to disease problems among hill sheep has, for many years, been devoted by veterinary investigation officers in England and Wales at those centres situated in the main hill sheep districts. Last summer a number of veterinary inspectors of my Department were specially detailed to undertake advisory work among hill sheep farmers for an indefinite period. A committee, under the chairmanship of Earl De La Warr, appointed by the Agricultural Improvement Council, is investigating the present position of hill and upland sheep fanning in England and Wales, and has been asked to suggest measures of improvement. I understand that the committee is considering the question of the need for further research into hill sheep diseases. I cannot anticipate the findings of the committee, which, I hope, will report at an early date.