§ Mr. Prescottasked the Secretary of State for Transport what were the numbers of inspections of United Kingdom registered vessels by the Department's inspectorate for each of the years since 1978; what were the numbers of prosecutions for statutory infringements of occupational health and safety regulations that followed; what was the nature of the infringements for which prosecutions were mounted; what penalties were imposed; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David MitchellThe numbers of inspections of United Kingdom registered merchant vessels are as follows:
Number 1978 729 1979 580 1980 993 1981 1,020 1982 744 1983 543 1984* 532 *To 5th December. Five prosecutions connected directly with occupational health and safety legislation have been brought under the Means of Access Regulations 1981. Two cases are yet to be concluded; in the other three cases fines of £100 and £1,600 were imposed.
In addition, many warnings have been given leading to appropriate improvements short of requiring prosecution. Statistics on these are not available other than at disproportionate costs.
§ Mr. Prescottasked the Secretary of State for Transport which section of his Department is responsible for the occupational health and safety of seafarers; what is the total staff of that section; and what were the comparable figures in each of the financial years since 1978–79.
§ Mr. David MitchellThe responsibility for enforcement lies with marine surveyors attached to the eight district marine offices, in each of which a principal marine surveyor is nominated with responsibility for occupational health and safety matters.
Responsibility for the occupational health and safety of seafarers is co-ordinated within my Department by a section which was staffed by three officers between 1978 and 1982; since then their numbers have been increased by one. A number of other sections regularly provide particular expertise and professional advice.
§ Mr. Prescottasked the Secretary of State for Transport what training is given to his Department's inspectors 408W responsible for carrying out the Departmental duties in respect of occupational health and safety matters of seafarers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David MitchellMy Department's marine surveyors are responsible For dealing with the safety of seafarers and ships in general, and matters connected with the occupational health and safety of seafarers are an important aspect of their responsibilities. Most of them have served at sea and have first-hand knowledge of these matters. They join the Marine Survey Service highly qualified and the training they receive is therefore broadly based, but it does cover their duties in respect of occupational health and safety matters of seafarers.