§ Lord Northfieldasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many of the present 466 posts in the State Veterinary Service are occupied by qualified veterinary surgeons; how this figure compares with 10 years ago; and how many of the visits to deer farms in the last 12 months were made by such qualified staff.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Baroness Trumpington)Of the posts within the State Veterinary Service occupied by field and headquarters veterinary and technical permanent staff, 298 are qualified veterinary surgeons compared with 400 10 years ago. All the visits to deer farms in the last 12 months were made by such qualified staff.