§ Mr. Lewisasked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the shortage of sanitary inspectors throughout Great Britain; whether he will state the number of additional sanitary inspectors that would be needed to enable all local authorities to employ their full quota; how many extra sanitary inspectors he estimates will be needed to carry out the additional work proposed in the Housing Rents and Repairs Bill; and what action he is taking to increase the number of sanitary inspectors.
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithYes. The working party on the recruitment, training and qualifications of sanitary inspectors estimated that in England and Wales 200 new inspectors ought to qualify annually for the next five years. It is not clear that the legislation referred to in the third part of the Question would increase this number. My right hon. Friend is about to open discussions with the interested bodies with a view to implementing the recommendations of the working party many of which are directed towards improved recruitment.