§ Dr. StrangTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many vets were employed by the State Veterinary Service in each year from 1979 to the present. [17629]
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe number of veterinary surgeons employed by the State Veterinary Service at 1 January each year since 1980 is detailed in the table. Since 1980, the structure of the State Veterinary Service has changed several times. The Central Veterinary Laboratory, which previously formed part of the State Veterinary Service, became the Veterinary Laboratories Agency in April 1990. The CVL figures are incorporated in this return for the years 1 January 1980 to 1 January 1990. From 1 June 1990 the figures do not include the CVL. The Veterinary Investigation Service became part of the VLA on 1 October 1995 and is not included in these figures from that date.
324W
Year Number of vets 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 1991 408.0 1992 414.5 1993 420.0 1994 408.3 1995 394.5 1996 301.2 1997 289.5
§ Dr. StrangTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many veterinary investigation centres are currently operating; what plans there are to develop these centres; how many there were in each year from 1979–80; and if he will make a statement. [17630]
§ Mr. HoggI have asked the chief executive of the Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Dr. T. W. A. Little, to reply on my behalf.
Letter from T. W. A. Little to Dr. Gavin Strang, dated 27 February 1997:
The Minister has asked me to reply to your question on Veterinary Investigation (VI) Centres.Since October 1995 the VI Centres have been part of the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA). There are fourteen Centres and they play a vital role in fulfilling VLA's surveillance responsibilities for MAFF.You asked how many Centres there were in each year from 1979 to the present, this is set out below:
Year Number of VI centres 1979 to 1985 24 1986 to 1990 19 1991 16 1992 15 1993 14