§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total number of establishments in the United Kingdom which are eligible for inspection by the factory inspectorate; how many such factory inspections took place in the last year for which figures are available; and how many inspections are expected to be made in the present year.
§ Mr. NichollsThe information is not available in the form requested. On 31 March 1988 in Great Britain there were 401,923 fixed premises registered with the factory inspectorate.
Between 1 April 1987 and 31 March 1988, factory inspectors made 69,437 preventive inspection visits to fixed premises and it is anticipated that 70,000 preventive inspections will be made in the present year. It is not possible to identify separately visits to factories.
Figures for Northern Ireland are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total number of factory80W inspectors employed in the United Kingdom; and if he will give an average number of visits each individual factory inspector will make in a year.
§ Mr. NichollsOn 1 July 1988, a total of 548 inspectors were employed in Her Majesty's factory inspectorate of the Health and Safety Executive. During 1987–88, the inspectorate made over 173,000 visits to premises. This figure includes planned preventive inspections, follow-up visits, investigations of accidents and dangerous occurrences, meetings with management and safety representatives, and general advisory and educational work; some visits combined more than one of these purposes. Consequently, it would be misleading to refer to an average rate per inspector.
The figures relate to Great Britain. Information for Northern Ireland is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.