§ Mr. Wallasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has yet received the report of the Committee of Inquiry into Recruitment for the Veterinary Profession; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SoamesThe Committee of Inquiry into Recruitment for the Veterinary Profession under the Chairmanship of his Grace the Duke of Northumberland, K.G., has submitted its Report to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and myself. The Report is being published today. My right hon. Friend and I are most grateful to his Grace and to the members of his Committee for the way in which they have carried out their inquiry.
The Committee does not foresee a shortage of veterinary graduates occurring during at least the next ten years. It is concerned, however, about the existing arrangements for postgraduate training and research. It suggests that more positive steps should be taken to encourage greater numbers of British trained veterinarians to serve overseas in the developing countries.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary for Technical Co-operation has already taken a number of steps in the direction of the last-mentioned recommendation, and is considering further measures. The remaining recommendations are for consideration in the first instance by the universities that have veterinary schools and by other interested bodies.