HC Deb 05 February 1985 vol 72 cc490-1W
58. Ms. Clare Short

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any plans to increase the number of factory inspectors.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

Decisions on the staffing of the factory inspectorate are a matter for the Health and Safety Executive, subject to the overall financial allocation and staff ceiling given to the Health and Safety Commission by the Government. The Executive plans to maintain the factory inspectorate at roughly its present strength in 1985. It is currently recruiting up to 30 general factory inspectors, in addition to the 25 recruited last year.