§ Dr. StrangTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many veterinary surgeons were employed by his Department on projects funded by his Department on(a) the most recent date available and (b) 31 March in each year since 1979. [18166]
§ Mr. AncramThe Department of Agriculture employs veterinary surgeons for a variety of tasks including disease prevention, control and eradication, meat hygiene and veterinary research. The figure in the table indicates the breakdown between veterinary research and other duties.
It is possible to provide details only of the numbers of veterinary surgeons employed in each year since 1990. To provide details for earlier years would incur disproportionate costs.
- Veterinary research
- February 1997: 26
- March 1996: 26
- March 1995: 26
- March 1994: 27
- March 1993: 27
- March 1992: 25
- March 1991: 28
- March 1990: 21
- Veterinary service
- February 1997: 138
- March 1996: 136
- March 1995: 143
- March 1994: 151
- March 1993: 144
- March 1992: 129
- March 1991: 111
- March 1990: 111