§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Employment what evidence he has that the wages of the various grades in the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate are lower than their comparable equivalents in industry; and what plans, if any, he has to make restructuring and grade changes in the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate.
§ Mr. WaddingtonInspectorial work on nuclear installations is largely confined to the Government and there is no clear basis for comparison between the work of nuclear installations inspectors and posts in the nuclear industry. However, a job evaluation study of all Health and Safety Inspectorates has recently been completed including an evaluation of the work of the NII. The report of the study, which contains recommendations for the development of a common grading structure across the inspectorates, including the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate, is currently under consideration.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Employment why three scientists from the nuclear industry have been seconded to the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate; what are to be their duties; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaddingtonI am advised by the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that three officers in the professional and technological grades have been seconded from the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority to the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate—the NII. The officers will provide support to NII staff engaged in the inspectorate's current pressurised water reactor assessment and will be working under their direction. These arrangements have been made because of the specialised and temporary nature of the duties on which they will be employed.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Keighley (Mr. Cryer) on 15 May, how many vacancies there are now in the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate; and if he remains satisfied that it is able to carry out its duties effectively.
§ Mr. WaddingtonI am advised by the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that the executive is seeking to recruit up to 16 additional people to the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate. He remains satisfied that the essential functions of the inspectorate can be maintained at the present level of staffing
534W