HC Deb 21 April 1993 vol 223 cc141-3W
Dr. Strang

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many state veterinary service staff there were on 1 January as(a) qualified veterinarians, (b) technical and scientific staff, (c) administrative staff and (d) others.

Mr. Gummer

The following details relate to the veterinary field and veterinary investigation services and the veterinary staff of the Tolworth policy group.

The administrative staff of the Tolworth policy group (306–5 staff) are not included.

Number
Qualified veterinary surgeons 420
Technical/scientific 382
Administrative 488
Other 73.5

Dr. Strang

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the most recent estimates of closure dates of the veterinary investigation centres; and if he will list the closure dates of those that have already closed since 1979.

Mr. Gummer

A veterinary investigation centre located at the Central Veterinary Laboratory, Addlestone closed in December 1980. In November 1985 the Liverpool centre was relocated to a new purpose built centre at Barton hall, Preston. As a result of the recommendations of the efficiency study of the veterinary investigation service carried out in 1984–85, the Cardiff centre closed in March 1986, the Gloucester and Leeds centres closed in June 1986 and the Northampton centre in July 1986. A small laboratory at Chester was also closed in April 1986.

As a result of the 1991 review of the veterinary investigation service, the Wye centre closed in July 1991 and the Bangor and Lincoln centres closed in September 1991.

The Cambridge and Norwich centres closed on 30 January 1993 and 6 February 1993 respectively, when these two centres were amalgamated in a new purpose-built centre at Bury St. Edmunds. With the completion of the new purpose-built centre at Luddington, Warwickshire, the Worcester centre closed on 20 March 1993. The Reading and Winchester centres will be amalgamated on the Winchester site when the enhancement of the Winchester centre is completed in mid-1994.

Dr. Strang

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many qualified veterinarians were employed by the state veterinary service in each year from 1979.

Mr. Gummer

Since 1980 the structure of the state veterinary service has changed several times. For example, the central veterinary laboratory (CVL), which formed part of the state veterinary service attained agency status in April 1990. The CVL figures are incorporated in this return for the years 1 January 1980-1 January 1990. As from I June 1990 the figures do not include the CVL.

Qualified veterinary surgeons
January Number
1980 580.5
1981 563.5
1982 557.0
1983 549.0
1984 539.5
1985 527.5
1986 506.5
1987 464.5
1988 444.5
1989 422.0
1990 430.5
January Number
1991 408.0
1992 414.5
1993 420.0