§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) if he has any plans to increase the complement of marine surveyors employed in the marine division of his Department; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will publish in the Official Report the number of surveyors employed in the marine division—surveyors' branch—on 1 March in each of the years 1977 to 1981.
§ Mr. EyreThe numbers employed in the Department's marine survey service on 1 March in each of the following years were:
1977 280 1978 276 1979 278 1980 281 1981 276 The above numbers exclude unfilled surveyor posts on the operative dates. Recruitment to the marine survey service is continuing and the number of posts in the service is currently under review. Additionally, eight suitably qualified officers have recently been specially recruited for marine pollution control and safety inspection duties.