HC Deb 12 December 1996 vol 287 c349W
18. Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to introduce BSE-free certified herds in Northern Ireland. [7333]

Mr. Ancram

Certified herds are specifically referred to by the Florence agreement as a stage in the removal of the export ban. The Agriculture Departments are actively exploring possibilities for a UK-wide certified herds scheme with the Commission so that we can submit formal proposals shortly. We will be pressing for these to be discussed at the earliest opportunity.

Time on waiting list for surgical specialties
6 months 6 to 11 months 12 to 17 months 18 to 23 months 24 months+ All durations
General surgery 2,603 992 415 130 22 4,162
Urology 1,557 480 192 73 64 2,366
Trauma 2,301 1,583 196 33 15 4,128
ENT 2,085 760 82 9 10 2,946
Ophthalmology 2,284 1,057 156 9 0 3,506