HC Deb 10 June 1974 vol 874 cc454-5W
Mr. Burden

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many qualified veterinary surgeons are now employed by the State Veterinary Service; and by how many this falls short of the full complement.

Mr. Peart

529 qualified veterinary surgeons and 22 research officers with scientific qualifications are employed full time against a total complement of 690. The shortage of 139 is partly offset by the employment, on field duties, of some 65 veterinary surgeons as temporary veterinary inspectors on a daily fee-paid basis.

Mr. Burden

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the salary scale for State veterinary practitioners; and how this compares with the average income of private veterinarians.

Mr. Peart

The salary scales of veterinarians in the State Veterinary Service are:

of veterinarians in private practice. The pay of the State Veterinary Service is linked with that of the Science Group

of the Civil Service, which is being reviewed following the recent report by the Pay Board on Civil Service scientists' pay.