HC Deb 16 January 1985 vol 71 c151W
Mr. Heddle

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many personnel in his Department have (a) approved professional qualifications and (b) professional and practical experience in the field of rating and valuation generally, and in the field of rating and valuation of commercial and industrial hereditaments, particularly.

Mr. Waldegrave

Both the PSA and DOE(C) employ staff with approved professional qualifications in the field of rating and valuation. In the PSA 317 out of the 409 staff employed as estates surveyors are qualified as chartered surveyors. IN DOE(C), all 15 estates officers are so qualified; these staff have all been trained in rating and valuation practice, including rating and valuation of commercial and industrial hereditaments.

None of the estates surveyors employed by PSA have experience in the field of rating and valuation gained whilst in the Department. Although some will have gained such experience elsewhere before joining PSA, this is not readily available from our records. Of the estates officers employed by DOE(C), over three quarters have had practical rating experience in the past outside the Department, although not currently engaged in rating work. All estates officers in DOE(C) are involved in the evaluation and appraisal of commercial and industrial land and buildings.

Mr. Heddle

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many of his Department's inspectors possess (a) recognised town and country planning qualifications and (b) have practical and professional experience in the field of town and country planning.

Mr. Macfarlane

114 full-time housing and planning inspectors, 38 part-time inspectors in the Department of the Environment's planning inspectorate, and 12 inspectors on the Lord Chancellor's panel possess recognised town and country planning qualifications. A further 51 full-time and 43 part-time inspectors and 32 inspectors on the Lord Chancellor's panel hold relevant qualifications in other fields. Some inspectors are qualified in more than one field.

All those inspectors who possess town and country planning qualifications have had practical and professional experience in the field of town and country planning.