HC Deb 19 December 1994 vol 251 cc980-1W
Mrs. Ewing

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the total sum expended in connection with the direct work of the state veterinary service in each year since 1990; what expenditure is envisaged for the next five years; and what will be the financial consequences of the Lebrecht review.

Mr. Waldegrave

Pay costs for the state veterinary service, comprising the veterinary field and investigation services together with veterinarians at headquarters, are;

Year Pay costs £'000
1990–91 1219,936
1991–92 1220,477
1992–93 125,925
1993–94 30,060
1994–95 (forecast) 30,903
1995–96 (allocation) 31,154
1996–97 (baseline) 31,135
1997–98 (baseline) 31,581
1 Excludes superannuation.
2 Excludes administration in the regions.

The financial consequences of the review cannot be assessed until final decisions have been taken following the consultation exercise.

Mrs. Ewing

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what number and percentage of visits by the state veterinary service have identified infringement of welfare legislation since 1990; and what emphasis has been placed on follow-up visits.

Mrs. Browning

In the four years 1990–93, the state veterinary service carried out 16,977 welfare inspection visits to farm premises. This figure includes follow-up visits, which are always undertaken where appropriate. In the same period, the SVS initiated or assisted with 493 successful prosecutions.