HC Deb 22 February 1996 vol 272 cc257-8W
Mr. Alan W. Williams

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the number of full-time employees involved in the United Kingdom in monitoring(a) air pollution, (b) water pollution and (c) solid waste disposal. [15534]

Mr. Clappison

This information is not available in the form requested. However, the Environment Agency, covering England and Wales, expects to have transferred to it on 1 April 1996 the following numbers of inspectors:

  1. (a) 277 from Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution;
  2. (b) 545 front the National Rivers Authority; and
  3. (c) 986 from local waste regulation authorities.

The figures for Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland respectively.