§ Mr. George Grantasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied that the problem over the recruitment to the mines inspectorate have not stemmed in any way from their incorporation into the Health and Safety Executive, where they have been conglomerated with a number of other properties with different recruitment policies; and if he upholds the assurances given by the Government during the passing of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act, that there will continue to be no interference with the standards or organisation of the mines inspectorate.
§ Mr. MayhewI shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
§ Mr. George Grantasked the Secretary of State for Employment, in view of the deteriorating accident situation in coal mining, including total accidents, if he accepts that the present position regarding recruitment to the mines inspectorate is one of extreme urgency that demands immediate decisive action to ensure that the inspectorate is up to full strength.
§ Mr. MayhewI am informed by the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that exemption has been granted from the current recruitment ban to allow recruitment action to proceed.
§ Mr. George Grantasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many new inspectors of mines and quarries have been appointed since the question of the hon. Member for Morpeth regarding recruitment to Her Majesty's inspectorate of mines and quarries on 12 February.
§ Mr. MayhewI am informed by the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that no new inspectors of mines and quarries have been appointed since 12 February 1979.