HC Deb 11 November 1975 vol 899 cc658-9W
Mr. Biffen

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what instructions or advice are given to Her Majesty's factory inspectors concerning the frequency of visits to factories employing less than 25 people.

Mr. Harold Walker

I am informed by the Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that at the beginning of each year Her Majesty's Inspectors of Factories are instructed about types or classes of factories which should receive priority visits during that year. These relate to special risks, hazards, accidents and matters of general concern. In addition inspectors in each district are to select locally for priority visits a number of factories which are known to them to be hazardous or have a safety and health performance which causes concern. Other factories are visited as far as staffing resources permit. No special instructions are given concerning the frequency of visits to factories employing less than 25 persons.