§ 6. Mr. Robensasked the Paymaster-General what is the authorised strength of the Mines Inpectorate; and what is the present number on the establishment.
§ Sir I. HorobinThe authorised strength of the Mines Inspectorate, including specialist grades, is 187, and the present number on the establishment is 147.
§ Mr. RobensMay I ask the Parliamentary Secretary what is the real trouble about the recruitment of mines inspectors?
§ Sir I. HorobinI think that is too wide a question to enter into in a supplementary question and answer. Perhaps on a more suitable occasion in a debate we could go into it.
§ Mr. RobensDoes not the Parliamentary Secretary agree that it is highly important in this industry, in which the Inspectorate is an important aspect of safety in mines, that the establishment should be fully up to strength? I wondered whether it was not possible for the Parliamentary Secretary to give some indication of the attempts that are being made to recruit the necessary staff?
§ Sir I. HorobinThe right hon. Gentleman will be glad to know that recruitment has been overtaking wastage recently and that, since the date of these figures, I understand that of the 40 there are five candidates who have been offered posts, which, if they accept, is a reduction of 12½ per cent.