HC Deb 28 July 1998 vol 317 cc221-3W
Dr. Gibson

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many civil servants in his Department(a) have a degree in science and (b) have held a position using that expertise. [50897]

Mr. Morley

We do not have the information in precisely the form requested. However, within core MAFF there are approximately 900 staff who have professional/vocational qualifications and are working in posts for which their qualifications are directly relevant, although not all of these will have science degrees. From the remaining 5,900 staff it is not possible to separately identify for statistical purposes those with science degrees who have held relevant posts.

The Executive Agencies are the responsibility of their Chief Executives. I have asked them to reply direct to my hon. Friend.

Letter from Dr. J. M. Rutter to Dr. Ian Gibson, dated 28 July 1998: The Minister has asked me to reply to your question about the number of civil servants in the Veterinary Medicines Directorate a) who have a degree in science and b) have held a position using that expertise. There are currently 39 staff in the veterinary and scientific grades, 37 of whom have a degree in science. Of the remaining staff it is not possible to identify separately those with science degrees who have held relevant posts.

Letter from G. K. Bruce to Dr. Ian Gibson, dated 28 July 1998: The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply, in respect of the Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD), to your question concerning how many civil servants in the Agency have a degree in science and have held a position using that expertise. There are currently 123 staff in scientific grades and the vast majority of these have relevant degrees. From the remaining 89 staff in other grades it is not possible to identify for statistical purposes those with science degrees who have held relevant posts.

Letter from T. W. A. Little to Dr. Ian Gibson, dated 28 July 1998: The Minister has asked me to reply to your question on how many civil servants in his Department (a) have a degree in science and (b) have held a position using that expertise. In the VLA, there are currently 549 staff in scientific grades and the majority of these have relevant degrees. From the remaining 568 staff in other grades it is not possible to separately identify for statistical purposes those with science degrees who have held relevant posts.

Letter from Dr. V. J. Bye to Dr. Ian Gibson, dated 28 July 1998: In the absence of the Agency Chief Executive, I am responding to your question to the Minister of Agriculture in relation to the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science Agency (CEFAS). Your question related to the number of civil servants with science degrees. In the CEFAS Agency at 1 April 1998, of 233 staff in professional grades (mainly scientific and technical), the breakdown is:

  1. a) 181 with a degree in science
  2. b) 127 holding a position directly using that expertise
  3. If you require further information please contact me.

Letter from Johnston McNeill to Dr. Ian Gibson, dated 28 July 1998: As Chief Executive of the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS), your question to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food enquiring about the number of civil servants who have a degree in science and who have held a position using that expertise has been passed to me to respond as regards this Executive Agency. The MHS is responsible for enforcing meat hygiene, inspection and animal welfare at slaughter legislation in all licensed fresh meat premises in Great Britain. The MHS directly employs 48 veterinary staff, and contracts the services of 156 veterinary staff (on a full time equivalent basis), all of whom have a relevant degree in science and operate as Official Veterinary Surgeons in licensed premises using that expertise.

Letter from Sarah Nason to Dr. Ian Gibson, dated 28 July 1998: The Minister has asked me to reply, in respect of the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency (FRCA), to your question about how many civil servants have (a) a degree in science and (b) held a position using that expertise. In FRCA there are currently 317 staff in professional grades and the vast majority of these have degrees which are relevant to their current positions. For the remaining staff it is not possible to identify separately for statistical purposes those with science degrees who have held relevant posts.

Letter from P. I. Stanley to Dr. Ian Gibson, dated 28 July 1998: The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply, in respect of the Central Science Laboratory (CSL), to your question concerning the number of staff who hold a degree in science and have held a position using that expertise. CSL currently employs 637 staff, 482 staff are employed on scientific work and of these 276 hold relevant degrees. In addition, 29 of the 155 staff employed in support positions hold a science degree and the majority are employed in a capacity that utilises this expertise.