§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the suitable qualifications and length of service the Health and Safety Executive considers necessary before an inspector is given power to prosecute under Section 39; how many inspectors appointed since September 1976 have been authorised to prosecute under Section 39; and, if so, what are their ages, qualifications and legal training.
§ Mr. John GrantI am informed by the Director of the Health and Safety Executive that those members of its staff appointed by it as inspectors under section 19 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, who were appointed to the staff of the HSE as factory inspectors, mines and quarries inspectors, explosives inspectors, alkali inspectors, nuclear installations inspectors and farm safety inspectors, are authorised by the Executive to prosecute proceedings for offences under the relevant statutory provisions before a magistrate's court in accordance with Section 39 of the Act. The exercise of this power by these inspectors, as of their rights to institute proceedings and conduct them, is controlled by the Executive, taking account of their training and experience. The qualifications for appointment to these inspectorates are laid down by the Civil Service Commission.
Other members of the staff of the Health and Safety Executive who are 781W appointed as inspectors under the 1974 Act are not normally authorised to prosecute under Section 39. In the period from 1st October 1976 to 8th December 1976, 20 persons who have been newly appointed to these inspectorates were appointed by the Executive as health and safety inspectors under the provisions of the 1974 Act. Their ages range from 22 to 42—average 30.