§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many inspectors have been employed in the Health and Safety Executive for monitoring pesticide usage on farms in each of the last eight years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NichollsThe Health and Safety Executive's agricultural inspectors monitor pesticide usage on farms concurrently with their other inspection duties. Since 1981, the number of inspectors employed in Her Majesty's agricultural inspectorate's field force based in area offices is as follows:
1 April Numbers 1981 166 1982 156 1983 149 1984 144 1985 150 1986 150 1987 151 1988 139 19891 142 1 At 1 March. In addition, at 1 March 1989 there were 13 inspectors employed in the agricultural inspectorate headquarters. The executive's objective is to increase numbers in the agricultural inspectorate to 165 inspectors as soon as possible.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many farms have been visited in each of the last eight years by the Health and Safety Executive to monitor pesticide usage; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NichollsThe information requested is not separately recorded. However, during the course of their visits to farms, Health and Safety Executive inspectors examine all aspects of health and safety including, where appropriate, pesticide usage.