HC Deb 09 July 1987 vol 119 c197W
Sir John Farr

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what additional amount of money has been allocated to the Health and Safety Executive in order to enable it to carry out additional duties imposed by the Food and Environment Protection Act.

Mr. Cope

For 1987–88 Parliament has voted grant-in-aid for the Health and Safety Executive of £1 million more than was shown as planned provision in the public expenditure White Paper, Cm. 56 and this provision was intended to include the costs of the additional duties imposed by the FEPA. Planned provision for future years is currently under consideration.

Sir John Farr

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects the extra 12 agricultural inspectors required for the Health and Safety Executive to carry out responsibilities under the Food and Environment Protection Act to be appointed.

Mr. Cope

The Health and Safety Executive intends to meet its responsibilities for enforcing the Food and Environment Protection Act from within existing staff resources through a re-arrangement of priorities. It is hoped that further recruitment to the agricultural inspectorate will take place later in the year.