HC Deb 20 December 1973 vol 866 cc1590-2
8. Miss Fookes

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his examination of the State Veterinary Service.

24. Mr. Charles Morrison

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is now able to make a statement on the action he is proposing to improve conditions of employment in the State Veterinary Service so as to encourage recruiting.

Mr. Godber

I am anxious to increase officers in my Department. Following a recent study by officials, various proposals are being considered in consultation with the staff association concerned and the Civil Service Department. These relate to the structure and management of the veterinary service, the nature of the duties undertaken by veterinary officers, and the opportunities for advancement in the service. I hope that as a result it will be possible to adopt measures that will make the veterinary service more attractive as a career.

Miss Fookes

May I impress upon my right hon. Friend the urgency of this matter, especially in view of the British Veterinary Association's assertion that if there were a serious outbreak of disease, such as foot-and-mouth, the service would break down?

Mr. Godber

I share my hon. Friend's concern about the position in the veterinary service. I want to see it resolved as soon as possible. I have had a number of discussions with those concerned. I hope that the joint working party that is considering the matter will come up with some helpful proposals. The veterinary service is part of the State Scientific Service and has to be considered in this wider context.

Mr. Mackie

The Minister did not give what I should regard as a very satisfactory reply to his hon. Friend. Is he relying entirely on the joint working party? Has he no ideas of his own on how to improve the service?

Mr. Godber

I tried to explain the position as it is. There is a problem here. Relativities within the Civil Service are important, as the hon. Gentleman knows. I want to find a system which will attract more people into the State Veterinary Service, to which I should like to pay tribute. Although the service is below strength, when we had the difficult outbreak of swine vesicular disease, those concerned put in a great deal of overtime and did a lot to help to overcome the problem. I believe they would do so again should the need arise.

Mr. Morrison

I am sure that my right hon. Friend will be aware of the concern felt by farmers about this matter. Will he take note that what is causing grave concern to farmers and vets is the relatively high age range of the existing members of the State Veterinary Service? Will he therefore give special consideration to the need to increase the responsibilities of junior members of the veterinary service as an incentive to encourage more young vets to come into it?

Mr. Godber

That is an extremely valid point, and I agree with my hon. Friend. We are looking into that matter.

Regarding the number of recruits coming into the veterinary service as a whole, both State and private, the Swann Report should be coming out about the middle of next year. I hope that that will help and guide us on recruitment into the service as a whole.