§ Mr. Robert Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the disciplinary procedures instituted against a member of the Wildlife Inspectorate and his superior officer, referred to in the reply to the hon. Member for Newbury (Mr. McNair-Wilson) on 17 December 1985, Official Report, columns 107–8.
§ Mr. WaldegraveTechnically, the inspector and his superior are not civil servants. But, in the interests of equity, my department considered it right to deal with hese cases in accordance with the normal Civil Service disciplinary procedures. Accordingly, they were formally informed of the criticisms of them and offered the opportunity to respond in writing or at an interview before the decision was taken on what disciplinary action should be taken.
The inspector and his superior have accepted the findings of the departmental investigation, which were given in my reply of 17 December at columns 107–8. In the light of those findings and the Director of Public Prosecution's earlier conclusion, on the evidence available, that no criminal offence had been committed, my department considered that neither the removal of the inspector from the panel nor the termination of his superior's contract would be justified.
Disciplinary action against both men has now been taken. It is not normal Civil Service practice to disclose the details of disciplinary action.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he has taken to strengthen the management of the Wildlife Inspectorate following the investigation into complaints against members of the inspectorate and subsequent institution of disciplinary procedures referred to in the reply to the hon. Member for Newbury (Mr. McNair-Wilson) on 17 December 1985, Official Report, columns 107–8; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveI have authorised the setting up of a separate administrative unit to manage the Wildlife Inspectorate. The unit will be headed by a principal reporting to a new grade 6 post and will include an enforcement co-ordinator. It will control the activities of the inspectors engaged on work under the provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the endangered species legislation. The post of the chief wildlife inspector will be filled on a long-term contract. A new post for an inspector based at Heathrow is to be created to liaise with HM Customs and Excise and provide them with expert advice. New and comprehensive instruction to inspectors are in advance of state of preparation.
As I said in my statement of the 17 December last year I am satisfied that the measures adopted will strengthen management, and improve the performance of the inspectorate in protecting birds and endangered species.
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§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will specify the nature of the enforcement duties carried out or to be carried out by the Wildlife Inspectorate, as distinct from the normal inspection duties of the inspectorate.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe enforcement duties of the Wildlife Inspectorate are confined to the initial identification of cases where there is a prima facie evidence of an offence under conservation legislation, and so providing expert advice on all ornithological, zoological and botanical matters to the appropriate enforcement agency when authorised to do so by the inspectorate administrative unit.