HC Deb 21 May 2002 vol 386 cc180-2W
Norman Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the proportion of her departmental budget allocated to the state veterinary service broken down by main category of expenditure, in each of the last 10 years. [54226]

Year Administration costs (£ million) Programme costs (£ million) Capital (£ million) Total expenditure (£ million) Total budget (%)
1995–96 36.7 24.3 0.3 61.3 6.6
1996–97 32.0 35.1 0.5 67.6 6.0
1997–98 33.8 33.6 0.2 67.7 7.2
1998–99 34.2 47.0 1.0 82.3 8.8
1999–2000 35.5 37.2 1.7 74.3 7.6
2000–01 41.1 52.7 1.1 94.9 9.1
2001–02 45.6 48.4 1.0 95.0 1.7

Notes:

1. The expenditure figures reflect the outturns at 31 March each year;

2. Figures for 1992–93 to 1994–95 are not readily to hand and constructing them would involve disproportionate cost;

3. Budgets can fluctuate because of disease outbreaks in certain years (eg foot and mouth) and because of departmental structural changes (eg creation of DEFRA in 2001–02).

Mr. Breed

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 8 May 2002,Official Report, column 162W, on the veterinary service, how many private veterinary surgeons have (a) applied, (b) received temporary appointments and (c) received permanent appointments as local veterinary inspectors broken down by region in each of the last 10 years. [56883]

Mr. Morley

[holding answer 16 May 2002]: Information regarding the number of private veterinary surgeons who (a) have applied, and (b) received temporary appointments as local veterinary inspectors (LVIs) broken down by region in each of the last ten years could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Numbers of private veterinary surgeons who received new permanent appointments as LVIs broken down by region in each of the last ten years is set out in the table.

Year North East West Scotland Wales
1992 29 61 11 30 11
1993 1,027 1,383 1,006 214 256
1994 190 165 98 56 47
1995 152 147 111 50 84
1996 128 156 97 41 49
1997 188 176 108 63 53
1998 160 195 112 52 42
1999 222 265 119 50 50
2000 195 298 130 52 73
2001 185 205 109 49 56

Note:

Total LVIs permanently appointed on 17 May 2002 are 7,506.

Mr. Weir

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to change the state veterinary service in Scotland. [56325]

Mr. Morley

[holding answer 15 May 2002]: The State veterinary service is a GB body responsible to all GB Agriculture Ministers. Were any changes to the existing arrangements as they apply to Scotland to be considered, then these would be developed fully with the Scottish Executive.

Mr. Weir

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received regarding the future of the state veterinary service in Scotland. [56324]

Mr. Morley

[holding answer 7 May 2002]: The proportion of budget allocated to the state veterinary service has been:

Mr. Morley

[holding answer 15 May 2002]: None.