asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will detail the annual savings which he expects to be achieved by the closure of the Itchen Abbas veterinary investigation centre;(2) in the event of the closure of the Itchen Abbas veterinary investigation centre from what source or sources the veterinary practices and veterinary surgeons currently using the centre would obtain a comparable service;(3) what additional costs would be involved in terms of relocating staff or travelling expenses if the work currently undertaken by the Itchen Abbas veterinary investigation centre was to be taken on by other centres.

The report of the study of the veterinary investigation service, to which I have referred in answer to earlier questions, is being considered in my Ministry. No decisions on the future of individual centres will be taken until the report has been made public and there has been opportunity for consultation with all the interests concerned including consideration of the points raised by my hon. Friend.