§ Mr. Eadieasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is his estimate of the number of work places that the Inspectorate for Health and Safety have to look after; what is the total complement of the inspectorate; and what proposals he has for increasing it.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithAs at 31st December last year, 204,798 under the Factories Act and 173,756 under the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act. There are some 700 factory inspectors and assistant inspectors with about an equal number of supporting staff. Local authorities with responsibilities for enforcing the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act also employ a number of inspectors on these duties. The question of the future size of the inspectorate falls to be considered in the light of the proposals of the Robens Committee on Safety and Health.