HC Deb 01 December 1976 vol 921 cc183-4W
Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for Employment why the necessary procedures and approvals for the appointment of Mr. J. Carver and Mr. H. J. Dunsten to membership of the Health and Safety Executive were not completed by the time Mr. E. C. Williams and Mr. B. S. Harvey ceased to be members; and on what date or dates the procedures were commenced.

Mr. John Grant

The Commission sought the approval of my right hon. Friend to the appointment of Mr. Carver on 29th December 1975 and he approved the appointment on 8th January 1976. The Commission sought approval for the appointment of Mr. Dunster on 18th February 1976 and this was approved by my right hon. Friend on 25th February 1976. I have asked the chairman of the Commission to write to my hon. Friend about those aspects of the procedures for appointment for which it is responsible.

Mr. Biffen

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what directions he has given to the Health and Safety Executive concerning the preparation of a statement of accounts for the accounting year ended 31st March 1976; when this direction was approved by the Treasury; if he has now received a copy of the statement for the year ended 31st March 1976; and if a copy has been sent to the Comptroller and Auditor General.

Mr. John Grant

With the approval of the Treasury, given on 26th November, my right hon. Friend has directed that the accounts for the Health and Safety Commission and Executive for the year ended 31st March 1976 shall take the form of an income and expenditure account for each body and a joint balance

Under £50– £100– £150– £200– £250– £300
… £50 £99 £149 £199 £249 £299 plus
Factory inspectors … 371 245 118 55 24 10 7
Other staff … 214 123 78 52 12 2 8

Mr. Biffen

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how much it is estimated reorganisation of the Factory Inspectorate is to cost; and what is the break-down of this cost with particular sheet. The accounts have not yet been presented.

Mr. Biffen

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the original estimate of the Health and Safety Commission for the accounting year ending 31st March 1977; what is the latest revision of this estimate; and how much is being allocated to each principal head of account.

Mr. John Grant

The original estimate for the Health and Safety Commission and Executive for 1976–77 was £34,946,000. The latest revision is £38,536,000 which takes into account pay increases operative from 1st April 1976 under Stage I of the Incomes Policy and the transfer to the Commission of responsibility for health and safety in agriculture formerly exercised by the Agriculture Departments. Details of the allocation of these estimates to principal heads of account are published as Appendix II to the Estimates of the Department of Employment under Class IV Vote 15 in the following documentsSupply Estimates 1976–77 Class IV presented on 17th March 1976. Supply Estimates 1976–77 Supplementary Estimates Classes I-XVII presented on 9th July 1976.