§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is towards the recruitment of veterinary surgeons to replace those retiring from the State Veterinary Service. [64470]
§ Margaret BeckettWe currently have a temporary moratorium on the recruitment of veterinary staff to replace those retiring from the State Veterinary Service. This will be reviewed following further examination of the funding for consequential work arising from FMD, which is presently underway.
Due consideration will also be given to any relevant recommendations made by the Lessons Learned and Royal Society inquiries.
§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many veterinary surgeons are employed by the State Veterinary Service; how many such posts are vacant; and how many vets are due to retire from the SVS within the next 12 months. [64469]
689W
§ Margaret BeckettThe total number of veterinary surgeons employed by the State Veterinary Service (SVS) as at 1 April 2002 is 336.8 (full-time equivalent basis).
The number of vacant veterinary permanent posts was 12.
It is anticipated that 10 vets will be retiring within the next 12 months.
§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many veterinary surgeons work for each regional office of her Department. [65471]
§ Margaret Beckett[holding answer 1 July 2002]As at 1 April 2002, the State Veterinary Service (SVS) had five regions comprising of 23 divisional offices. Veterinary staff employed in each region is indicated in the table:
Region Number of stuff employed East region 58 North region 84 West region 67 Scotland 57 Wales 30