Whither the professions?

I must confess to having been a little surprised at being asked to give The Dental School Founders' and Benefactors' Lecture this year. It is manifest to all that I am not a founder of the School and as chairman of the Health Authority I have not always been perceived to be a benefactor. Nevertheless I accepted your Dean's invitation and I hope my status may improve. There has been some uncertainty in relation to my title 'Whither the professions?' as to whether it expresses a question or an exhortation. It was certainly intended to be a question.