§ Mr. Biffenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the recruitment, pay and conditions of his Department's veterinary service, and state how salaries compare with the earnings of private veterinary practitioners.
§ Mr. GodberIt is not practicable to make a direct comparison of the pay of162W State veterinary surgeons with earnings in private practice. The pay of the Ministry's veterinary officers is linked with that of the Science Group of the Civil Service. The basis on which the pay of the Science Group should be determined has been referred to the Pay Board for consideration. Its report is expected early in 1974. Discussions will then take place between the Civil Service Department and the Institution of Professional Civil Servants having regard to the board's recommendations and the counter-inflation policy.
I am anxious to increase the strength of the veterinary service, and various matters affecting recruitment and career opportunities have recently been examined in consultation with the staff association concerned and a number of proposals are being urgently considered