§ Mr. Terry Daviss asked the Paymaster General what categories of people are treated by his Department as competent persons for the purpose of sections 22, 26, 27, 35 and 36 of the Factories Act 1961.
§ Mr. TrippierThere are no set categories of competent persons. Whether a person is competent for the purpose depends on the circumstances and is a matter for the courts to decide. However, it is generally considered that such a person should have such practical and theoretical knowledge and the actual experience of the type of machinery or plant which he has to examine as will enable him to detect defects or weaknesses which it is the purpose of the examination to discover, and to assess their importance in relation to the strength and functions of the machinery or plant.