HC Deb 07 March 1955 vol 538 cc21-4
21. Mr. A. Evans

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the shortage of sanitary inspectors and the consequent difficulties of some local authorities in fulfilling their statutory duties under the Housing and Public Health Acts; and if he will make a statement.

Miss Hornsby-Smith

Neither my right hon. Friend nor the Minister of Housing and Local Government, who has been consulted, have reason for thinking that local authorities are being seriously held up in discharging these duties by a shortage of sanitary inspectors, although they are aware of cases in which a local authority have not been able to recruit as many as they would like.

Mr. Evans

Has the hon. Lady or her right hon. Friend studied the Report of the Working Party which reported about 18 months ago—I think the figures were for 1951—that there was a shortage of 250 in the country? Will the hon. Lady bear in mind that if Parliament places upon local authorities added burdens and duties, then Parliament must help to devise the means by which the duties may be carried out? The reply is most unsatisfactory.

Miss Hornsby-Smith

The hon. Member should be aware from answers to previous Questions that my right hon. Friend has accepted in principle the findings of the Working Party, and that discussions are already taking place with the many interested bodies which are very much concerned in this problem.

Mr. Lewis

Is not that contradictory to the Minister's first reply? In the first reply it was said that there was no cause for concern and that the authorities were not very anxious. If the hon. Lady goes into the overcrowded areas, which are now getting on with slum clearance and having to deal with bombed and blitzed properties, she will find that there is a great shortage and a great need. Will she do something to assist them?

Miss Hornsby-Smith

The hon. Member is confusing the issue. The Working Party dealt with recruitment and the coming necessity for increasing recruitment and getting a larger intake each year. That we accept. The Question put now was whether at this moment local government was apparently breaking down because of the shortage—

Mr. Evans

I did not say "breaking down."

Miss Hornsby-Smith

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman did not say that, but that is just as accurate a paraphrase as the one used by the hon. Gentleman. From the evidence we have received from local authorities, the existing services are not seriously put out, and I do not see that that conflicts in any way with the investigations being made about future recruitment for the service.

22. Mr. A. Evans

asked the Minister of Health if he will give a current estimate of the number of sanitary inspectors short of establishment, and of the number of vacancies; and which are the areas most affected.

Miss Hornsby-Smith

I am afraid that my right hon. Friend cannot give any reliable estimate.

Mr. Evans

Has the Minister studied this matter, and can the hon. Lady explain why the Department is not in possession of this information?

Miss Hornsby-Smith

All the figures given in the Report, and, indeed, in the records, were pure estimates. The one estimate was of a shortage of 240, but we have not the details of every position advertised and estimated by local authorities.

Mr. Gibson

Is the Minister aware, that, in spite of what she is saying, there are many houses, in London, in particular, and inmany other areas, which ought to be inspected by sanitary inspectors, but which cannot be so inspected because there is not a sufficient staff of inspectors, with the result that many houses which ought to be condemned are still being lived in?

Miss Hornsby-Smith

I quite agree with the hon. Gentleman that this question of sanitary inspectors is an important one, but that does not detract from the fact that the Working Party Report has to be thoroughly investigated and discussed with many bodies, which is something that is being carried out by the Department at this moment.

Mr. Marquand

Is the hon. Lady aware that earlier her right hon. Friend gave information about vacancies for psychiatric social workers? Why is it more difficult to get information about vacancies for sanitary inspectors?

Mr. Macleod indicated dissent

.

Mr. Marquand

I thought that the right hon. Gentleman gave the number of vacancies. He certainly gave the numbers employed and an indication that there was a shortage of such people. Surely, it ought to be possible to get the information from the local authorities. Would the hon. Lady get it within a week or two if we put down a Question?

Miss Hornsby-Smith

The only figure given was that of 240, which was assessed by the Working Party on the basis of the total of authorised establishments and the number of inspectors at present in employment. [HON. MEMBERS: "In 1951?"] Yes, in 1951. That was a survey carried out by the Working Party at the time. But as the Report has been accepted in principle, and as action is now under way to try to remedy the situation, to go through another complete analysis would not, I feel, serve any purpose.

23. Mr. A. Evans

asked the Minister of Health if he will confer with the Sanitary Inspectors Association with a view to speeding the training and recruitment of sanitary inspectors.

Miss Hornsby-Smith

The matter is under discussion with the bodies concerned, including the association.

Mr. Evans

Can the hon. Lady say how far advanced are the discussions with the Sanitary Inspectors Association?

Miss Hornsby-Smith

Discussions have already taken place with six of the bodies concerned with this Working Party Report and a deputation from the Sanitary Inspectors Association is to be received at the Ministry on 11th March.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Is the hon. Lady aware that in Newcastle, for example, residents are having to wait some months before they can get their certificates of disrepair issued because of the lack of sanitary inspectors?

Miss Hornsby-Smith

I quite accept that point, but the hon. Gentleman will appreciate that there are probably eight or 10 organisations, all very important in this sphere, which have to be consulted, and which, in order to get their members to attend such deputations, require adequate notice. When some agreement has been reached in general form between all the interested parties, the matter will be referred to them in order to get an agreed programme. There is no delay on our part.

Mr. Evans

I wish to give notice that, owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the replies, I shall take an early opportunity to raise the matter on the Adjournment.