HC Deb 13 April 2000 vol 348 cc242-3W
Mr. Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many of the(a) operational managers and (b) principal inspectors of health and safety in the Field Operations Division of the Health and Safety Executive possess qualifications in management. [118407]

Mr. Meacher

The number of operational managers in HSE's Field Operations Directorate with externally recognised management qualifications is three.

The number of principal inspectors in HSE's Field Operations Directorate with externally recognised management qualifications is 11.

Mr. Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library a copy of the report on management among the principal inspectors of health and safety in field offices of the HSE; and what action is planned as a result of the report. [118388]

Mr. Meacher

It is assumed that the report referred to is an internal study on the workload of operational managers in the Field Operations Directorate. The study was commissioned by the Director of Field Operations and reported to him in June 1998. A copy of the report has been placed in the Library. Action on the specific recommendations in the report has been taken forward by the Directorate in consultation with the managers concerned, and is nearing completion.

Mr. Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will ensure that all HSE field offices of the Field Operations Division have staffed reception areas for members of the public in easily-accessible ground floor locations. [118387]

Mr. Meacher

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 requires the Health and Safety Commission to provide an "information and advisory service" to help the public. While the Health and Safety Executive ensure that members of the public have access to the information and advice they require, it cannot be guaranteed that staffed reception areas in ground floor locations will be available. In light of the relatively small number of personal callers to offices, a judgment has to be made as to whether a permanently staffed reception area is the most efficient use of resources.