§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to fund schemes mature students to study veterinary medicine. [160713]
§ Ms QuinThere are no plans to make funds available for schemes to assist mature students in the study of veterinary medicine.
§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what hourly payment rate has been agreed for veterinary surgeons engaged to deal with the foot and mouth problem; how many hours on average each vet has worked; how many vets have been detailed 493W to work specifically on foot and mouth since the outbreak began; and which budget is being used to pay the additional vets' charges [160678]
§ Ms QuinThe temporary veterinary inspectors appointed to assist with foot and mouth disease work are paid a flat rate of £250 per day. The total number of veterinary surgeons who have been engaged by MAFF to deal with foot and mouth disease since the outbreak began is 1971. The average number of hours spent by vets specifically employed on foot and mouth is not available centrally.