Fact-finding Visits (Hansard, 4 November 1992)

§ Mr. Gummer

Responsibility for this matter is delegated to ADAS, the Central Science Laboratory, the Central Veterinary Laboratory, the Intervention Board Executive Agency and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate. I have asked their respective chief executives to write to the hon. Gentleman direct.

Letter from P. Stanley to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 26 October 1992:

As Chief Executive of the Central Science Laboratory (CSL) I confirm that during the last 12 months I have carried out fact finding visits to the Universities of Reading, Leeds, Lancaster and York, to explore their scientific capabilities and to establish whether CSI, should develop longer-term relationships with these Universities. The outcome is that CSL will continue to be associated with all four Universities and will seek to develop closer links with Leeds, Lancaster and York in relation to the move of CSL to York in 1996/97.

In addition, I have carried out fact finding visits to other agencies, including the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency, Central Veterinary Laboratory, Laboratory of the Government Chemist, and the Defence Research Agency, to identify how they are progressing and to gather information about the services offered by other research-based agencies. My findings were that CSL has a clearly identified role in providing statutory support and R & D to MAFF, but needs to be competitive in terms of cost, quality and delivery of services.

Letter from B. Mills to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 28 October 1992:

As you know the Minister has asked that Chief Executives of executive agencies for which he is responsible write to you direct with their answer to your question.

Dr. Little our Chief Executive is away at the moment. I know that he has made visits to a number of organisations during this period, but in particular to offices of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, who are our parent Department, and for whom about 85 per cent. of our work is undertaken.

Letter from J. Rutter to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 28 October 1992:

To ask the Minister of Agriculture Fisheries and Food, if he will list the fact finding visits made in the last 12 months by

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the chief executive of each executive agency for which he is responsible; and what were the findings resulting from each visit.

In his reply to the above question about Executive Agencies in MAFF, the Minister said that as this was a matter which was the direct responsibility of Chief Executives, he would ask them to write to you direct. I am doing so as Chief Executive of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD).

I maintain frequent contact throughout the year with representatives of the animal health industry, the veterinary profession and the veterinary pharmaceutical companies. During the last 12 months I have also spoken at national and international meetings on matters related to veterinary medicines, held regular meetings with the National Office of Animal Health and the British Veterinary Association, and initiated meetings with consumer representatives to discuss matters of common interest.

These visits and meetings are particularly useful in increasing the transparency and understanding of the licensing arrangements for veterinary medicines in the UK. They help maintain good relations with our customers and provide valuable feedback on the work of the Directorate to help improve the quality of service we offer to our customers.

Letter from J. Walsh to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 27 October 1992:

The Chief Executive of ADAS, Dr. Julia Walsh, makes on average two fact finding visits to customers and staff per month. It is considered by Dr. Walsh essential to conduct these visits to ensure the provision of quality services to ADAS customers and to transmit ideas from staff through the organisation to Director level.

Letter from G. Stapleton to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 30 October 1992:

You asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he would list the fact finding visits made in the last 12 months by the chief executive of each executive agency for which he was responsible; and what were the findings resulting from each visit. Although the Intervention Board is a separate Government Department, I am resposible to the four Agriculture Ministers, and as this matter falls within the operational responsibility of this Agency, he has asked me to reply.

Between October 1991 and September 1992 I had a, considerable number of discussions with the Agency's customers and with organisations with whom we work, both on and off the Agency's premises. The only ones which might be described as fact-finding visits were two I made in May, to a scientific establishment providing services to the Agency and to a firm deboning beef for intervention storage. In each case the visit enabled me to familiarise myself with the processes involved.

I am sending a copy of this letter to the Library of the House.