§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many (i) factory and (ii) wages inspectors were employed in Wales(a) in 1979 and (b) 1987; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Nicholls[holding answer 13 June 1988]: On 1 June 1979 there were 33 factory and seven wages inspectors employed in Wales. On 1 June 1987, the numbers were 24 and three respectively. The Health and Safety Executive plans to increase factory inspector numbers nationally during 1988–89 and recruitment is currently underway. I consider the number of wages inspectors to be adequate.