HC Deb 05 February 1974 vol 868 cc280-1W
Mr. Deakins

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now make a statement about the conclusions he has reached following the departmental report on the State Veterinary Service.

Mr. Godber

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave in the House on 20th December 1973 to my hon. Friend the Member for Merton and Morden (Miss Fookes) and my hon. Friend the Member for Devizes (Mr. Charles Morrison).—[Vol. 866, c. 1590–2.]

Mr. Deakins

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to allow transfer between veterinary surgeons in the State service and those in industry and private practice; and if he will open promotion within the State service to veterinary surgeons at present working outside it.

Mr. Godber

My Department is always prepared to consider the exchange for a period of officers in the State Veterinary Service with veterinary surgeons in private practice or other outside employment in appropriate cases. New entrants into the service with suitable qualifications and experience are eligible to be placed on appropriate salary points above the basic recruitment grade of veterinary officer grade II.

Mr. Deakins

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that in the period 1965–1970 only 10 veterinary graduates were recruited to the State Veterinary Service out of some 1,640 students graduating; and what steps he proposes to take to improve such recruitment.

Mr. Godber

155 qualified veterinarians were recruited into the Ministry's Veterinary Service in the period 1965 to 1970. At that time recruits to the field and investigation staff were required to have at least one year's postgraduate experience but this requirement was discontinued, for admission to the basic grade, in 1971. As regards other steps to improve recruitment I would refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave to my hon. Friends the Members for Merton and Morden (Miss Fookes) and Devizes (Mr. Charles Morrison) on 20th December 1973.—[Vol. 866, c. 1590–92.]