Veterinary Service (Hansard, 16 March 1989)

§ 44. Mr. McTaggart
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the future of the state veterinary service.

§ Mr. Donald Thompson
I consider it of great importance that this country should have a veterinary service dedicated to the maintenance of our high health status. The structure of this service, along with other, similar Government services, is kept under review.

§ 45. Mr. McAvoy
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has had discussions with the Institution of Professional Civil Servants about the future of the state veterinary service.

§ Mr. Donald Thompson
My officials are in frequent contact with the Institute of Professional Civil Servants about matters concerning their members, including those employed in the state veterinary service.

§ 48. Mr. Worthington
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many veterinary officers he currently employs in the state veterinary service.

§ Mr. Donald Thompson
From information available at 1 February 1989 there are 439 permanent veterinary officers in all grades employed in the state veterinary service.