HC Deb 18 February 1983 vol 37 cc285-6W
Mr. John Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will estimate the number of qualified inspectors of mines who will be available to carry out inspections of collieries in the Health and Safety Commission's plan of work for 1983–84.

Mr. Gummer

It is impossible to state precisely the number of inspectors who will be available to carry out inspections of collieries in 1983–84, but the Health and Safety Commission's plan of work provides for 97 inspectors at that time.

Mr. John Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the number of inspectors of mines in the Health and Safety Executive in 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1982, respectively.

Mr. Gummer

The number of inspectors of mines in post during the last five years was as shown in the following table:

at 31 December Inspectors
1978 100
1979 98

at 31 December Inspectors
1980 95
1981 95
1982 90