HC Deb 15 December 1978 vol 960 cc410-1W
Mr. Cryer

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he is satisfied with the organisation and terms and conditions of employment within the Factory Inspectorate, in the light of the fact that 64 members of Her Majesty's Factory Inspectorate applied for the post of safety adviser to the Independent Broadcasting Authority.

Mr. John Grant:

The Secretary of State for Employment is satisfied with the terms and conditions of employment in Her Majesty's Factory Inspectorate which are similar to those which pertain throughout the Civil Service.

The IBA applied for references for one member of the inspectorate and he is to take the post of head of safety.

Mr. Cryer

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will confirm that many of Her Majesty's factory inspectors' visits are now conducted on a geographical basis rather than on an industry grouping basis.

Mr. John Grant:

I am advised by the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that the completion of the reorganisation of Her Majesty's Factory Inspectorate into industry groups means that all visits are now paid on an industry group basis. In allocating establishments to industry groups account is taken of geographical convenience.

Mr. Cryer

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many factory inspectors are currently in post; and if he will provide the location of these inspectors by areas and duties and the percentage of this number regularly engaged in factory inspections.

FACTORY INSPECTORS IN POST ON 1ST OCTOBER1978
Location General Inspectors First Year Trainee Specialist Inspectors Specialist Inspectors
South West Area 31
South Area 24 2
South East Area 23 1
London North West Area 28 1
London North East Area 24 1
London South Area 28 1
East Anglia Area 23 1
Northern Home Counties Area 23 1
East Midlands Area 28 1
West Midlands Area 41 1
Wales Area 31 1
Marches Area 27 3
North Midlands Area 28 1
South Yorkshire and Humberside Area 33
West and North Yorkshire Area 37
Greater Manchester Area 36
Merseyside Area 30
North West Area 27
North East Area 33
Scotland East Area 30
Scotland West Area 32
Wales and South West FCG* 18
London and Home Counties North FCG 17
Midlands FCG 21
North East FCG 23
North West FCG 17
Scotland FCG 17
Headquarters 30.5 89
647.5 14 202
Total=863.
Percentage regularly engaged in factory inspection=91 per cent
*Field Consultant Groups