Veterinary Surgeons

56.

Professor Gruffydd
asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will state the number of veterinary surgeons employed by his Department in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, respectively.

Mr. Hudson
As the answer contains a number of figures I will circulate it in the Official Report.

Following is the reply:

At present 260 whole-time veterinary officers of the Ministry of Agriculture are stationed in England, 55 in Scotland and 44 in Wales; but individual officers are moved as conditions require. In addition, there are 847 veterinary surgeons in private practice who serve as part-time officers of my Department, and of these 596 are in England, 175 in Scotland and 76 in Wales. My responsibilities in matters of animal health do not extend to Northern Ireland.