§ Lord Northfieldasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many officers of the state veterinary service are in post in Great Britain; and how their numbers have changed over the past 10 years; how many deer farms they have visited once and more than once in the past 12 months; and how many reports have been made on unsatisfactory conditions on such farms.
§ Baroness TrumpingtonAt present 466 posts within the state veterinary service are occupied by field and headquarters veterinary and technical staff, compared with 639 10 years ago. Thirty-nine deer farms were visited once in the past 12 months and 26 more than once. During this period eightfarms were the subject of reports, all relating to disease control measures.