§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list for each year since 1978–79 the establishment and total staff in post in the gas standards branch of his Department.
§ Mr. John MooreThe complement and staff in post in the gas standards branch on 1 April each year since 1978 were as follows:
Complement Staff in post 1978 142 134 1979 144 131 1980 124 124 1981 98½ 118 1982 88½ 94 In 1978 the GSB had three gas engineers employed full time on safety matters. The number rose to five this year and an additional post has recently been approved bringing the total to six. These gas engineers work closely with the gas examiners in the GSB, particularly with regard to gathering technical information. A significant amount of administrative effort at the GSB is also devoted to gas safety work.