§ Mr. Biffenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how the remuneration of veterinary surgeons in Government service compares with earnings from veterinary service in the private sector; if he is satisfied with the present recruitment to the public sector; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GodberCivil Service pay is based on the principle of fair comparison with pay rates for comparable work outside the Civil Service. However, in the case of veterinary surgeons it is not practicable to make direct comparison with the remuneration paid to veterinary surgeons engaged in private practice; the method of pay determination agreed with the staff association concerned is currently by a link with the pay of the Science Group on the basis of comparable pay rates for comparable levels of responsibility exercised.
As regards recruitment I am anxious to increase the strength of the State veterinary service as soon as possible and my Department is considering urgently what more can be done to achieve this.