§ Mr. Adam Butlerasked the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the number of applicants for and places in veterinary schools and colleges in the United Kingdom and the Irish Republic in the last available relevant year compared with the same figures for each of the previous five years; and whether he is satisfied with the number of such places available.
§ Mr. MulleyI have been asked to reply.
I am unable to provide information relating to the Republic of Ireland. Following is the information for the United Kingdom:
Academic Year Number of candidates for admission to United Kingdom universities giving Veterinary Science as their subject of first choice First year full-time undergraduates in veterinary science at United Kingdom universities 1969–70 888 256 1970–71 1,006 226 1971–72 1,045 279 1972–73 1,155 286 1973–74 1,213 296 1974–75 1,336 340* *Approximate. One of the recommendations of the report of the committee of inquiry into the veterinary profession (Cmnd. 6143) was that the annual entry to veterinary schools should be maintained at about 335 for the next five years. The Government are at present considering the report.