§ Mr. Gareth Wardellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will specify the staffing levels of the new inspectorate of pollution.
§ Mr. WaldegraveIt is expected that the staff complement of the inspectorate when formed on 1 April368W will be about 190. This figure includes posts which may be transferred to departmental policy directorates after review of the organisation in the first year.
§ Mr. Gareth Wardellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to ensure that all recommendations to central Government emanating from the new inspectorate of pollution will be statutorily available to local authorities; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe inspectorate will form part of my Department and will tender advice to Ministers under normal Civil Service rules. It will publish an annual report with a full account of its activities and local reports where applicable and will issue technical advisory and guidance documents.
§ Mr. Gareth Wardellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the specific powers of Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe formation of the inspectorate will not affect the statutory basis of pollution control. The inspectorate's powers at 1 April and the development of its functions are discussed in a consultation paper, copies of which I placed in the Library of the House last week.