HC Deb 01 December 1958 vol 596 cc827-8
12. Mrs. Slater

asked the Minister of Health if he will make a statement on the recruitment of sanitary inspectors.

Mr. Walker-Smith

With one more examination to come, 174 public health inspectors have already qualified this year compared with 82 in the whole of 1955, 117 in 1956 and 127 in 1957. Recent measures to improve recruitment thus appear to have had very encouraging results.

Mrs. Slater

While that may sound on the surface to be a very marked improvement, is it not true that many local authorities, such as Stoke-on-Trent, with great industrial problems, are very short of sanitary inspectors? Does the Minister realise that in Stoke we are twelve sanitary inspectors short? If this is to be remedied, what future action is to be taken to increase the number of sanitary inspectors entering the profession?

Mr. Walker-Smith

The Working Party on the Recruitment, Training and Qualification of these inspectors estimated that 200 new recruits a year were needed to make good the shortage. As the hon. Lady will see from the figures, we are now well within sight of this target.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Will the Minister not be too complacent about this, because there is a considerable wastage in the first few years of appointment, with men leaving to industry and other appointments? Will he see what further action he can take, including the question of wages, to help to retain these public health inspectors in their jobs?

Mr. Walker-Smith

I am not complacent about this or any other matter, but I think that we are entitled to say, on the figures I have given, that very good progress is being made. I will certainly keep the matter under review to see whether further measures are necessary to achieve the desired figures.

13. Mrs. Slater

asked the Minister of Health what consideration is being given to the salary of sanitary inspectors.

Mr. Walker-Smith

The National Joint Council, which is the responsible negotiating body, reached an agreement this summer which provided for an increase in the salaries of Public Health Inspectors. I am informed that notice has since been given of a general salary claim which would include Public Health Inspectors.