§ 26. Mr. Willeyasked the Minister of Labour the present strength and grades of the Medical Inspectorate of his Department: and to what extent he is proposing to increase the numbers in any grade during 1957.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThere are at present on the strength of the Medical Inspectorate, one senior medical inspector, three deputy senior medical inspectors and 11 medical inspectors. I hope to increase the strength by three medical inspectors during 1957 to fill existing vacancies.
§ Mr. WilleyWhilst I appreciate that the increase this year is encouraging, 839 would not the Minister recognise that this service appears to be inadequate, and that that is another reason for our hoping to get a reply earlier than he has indicated in his reply to a previous Question?
§ Mr. MacleodThe hon. Member knows that this and his previous Question are very closely linked. The reason why, in part at any rate, no suggestions have been made for increases in the cadre is that it was thought that those changes should await the decisions on policy to which I referred in my earlier Answer.
§ 28. Mr. Skeffingtonasked the Minister of Labour when it is proposed to announce the successor to the senior medical inspector of his Department who is to retire this year.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodHer Majesty's Senior Medical Inspector of Factories will retire at the end of August next. I hope to be able to announce his successor well before August.
§ Mr. SkeffingtonDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that many people on both sides of industry regard the work of this inspectorate as of very great importance, and want to see it extended, as the Minister has indicated in reply to an earlier Question? Therefore, in building up an effective department, the name of the gentleman who is to be in charge should be known soon.
§ Mr. MacleodI recognise that, and I attach the greatest importance to the Medical Inspectorate, as does the hon. Gentleman.