HC Deb 31 March 1998 vol 309 cc501-2W
Mr. Donohoe

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many staff are employed in Scotland by his Department, or executive agencies responsible to his Department; and where those staff are located. [36212]

Mr. Morley

Core-MAFF currently has 84 staff based at 14 different locations in Scotland. The locations are Ayr, Dumfries, Edinburgh, Elgin, Forfar, Galashiels, Hamilton, Inverness, Inverurie, Kirkwall, Oban, Perth, Stranraer and Thurso.

The Meat Hygiene Service and the Veterinary Laboratories Agency also employ staff in Scotland, and I have asked their Chief Executives to reply to my hon. Friend.

The Farming and Rural Conservation Agency, The Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science, Central Science Laboratory, Veterinary Medicines Directorate and the Pesticides Safety Directorate do not employ any staff in Scotland.

Letter from Johnston McNeill to Mr. Brian Donohoe, dated 31 March 1998: As Chief Executive of the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS), your question to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and food enquiring about the number and location of staff employed in Scotland, has been passed to me for reply with regard to this Executive Agency. The MHS is responsible for enforcing meat hygiene, inspection and animal welfare at slaughter legislation in licensed fresh meat premises in Great Britain. The MHS employs a total of 250 staff in Scotland. The majority of these staff are Official Veterinary Surgeons and Meat Hygiene Inspectors who are based at licensed premises in Scotland. A small team of managerial and administrative staff manage operations from the MHS Scotland Regional Office, which is based in Edinburgh.

Letter from T. W. A. Little to Mr. Brian Donohoe, dated 31 March 1998: The Minister has asked me to reply to your question on how many VLA staff are employed in Scotland. There are 25 staff employed at the VLA Lasswade Laboratory, near Edinburgh, Scotland.