HC Deb 20 April 1978 vol 948 c315W
Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for Employment why the annual report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Factories for 1976 was not published until 5th April 1978 and when he anticipates publication of the report for 1977.

Mr. John Grant

The staff of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Factories experienced a considerable increase in volumes of work in 1977 arising from the developing role of the Health and Safety Executive. This created considerable pressure of work for drafting staff which inevitably led to delays in compilation and clearance of copy for the executive's 1976 report on manufacturing and service industries. These delays were exacerbated by problems of collating statistics. Once these problems were resolved production of the report followed within normal time schedules.

I am informed by the Health and Safety Commission that it expects the report for 1977 to be published before the end of this year.