Central Veterinary Laboratory, Weybridge

HC Deb 30 October 1975 vol 898 cc1744-5

8. Mr. Pattie

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will pay an official visit to the central veterinary laboratories at Weybridge.

Mr. Strang

My right hon. Friend is not and nor am I planning to make such a visit in the near future. However, I did visit the Central Veterinary Laboratory early this year.

Mr. Pattie

During his visit, did the Minister notice the extremely inadequate safety standards at the Laboratories? Is he aware that in recent years there have been nine cases of brucellosis being contracted by members of the staff? Is he also aware that as recently as this summer members of the staff risked their own funds to go to the High Court and that the Ministry had no alternative but to admit liability? Why is it that at the Weybridge laboratories the most dangerous work is carried out in the oldest and the most non-purpose building? When will some specially constructed safety equipment be installed?

Mr. Strang

The figure cited by the hon. Gentleman is not the one that I have, but I will check it. The hon. Gentleman has made some very sweeping allegations relating to safety precautions at the laboratories. I cannot answer his specific allegations, but I undertake to see that they are examined. We have received no evidence which in any way shakes our confidence in the director and chief veterinary officer at the laboratories.

Mr. Wiggin

Is it not a fact that the State veterinary service has for too long been in great disarray, that it has been underpaid and under recruited and that its average age is grossly too high? Will the Minister tell us why, after nearly two years in office, he has done nothing about it?

Mr. Strang

How ignorant can the hon. Gentleman get? Is he not aware of the enormous transformation that we are achieving in the State veterinary service?

Mr. Wiggin

Tell us about it.

Mr. Strang

I will tell the hon. Gentleman what has happened. We have enormously increased recruiting and massively increased salaries. We took over a service that was in a disgraceful state. These are the facts, as the hon. Gentleman knows.

Mr. Pattie

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to ask leave to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.