HC Deb 25 July 1988 vol 138 cc78-9W
Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total number of persons employed as inspectors by the Mines and Quarries Inspectorate and the average number of inspections made by each inspector per year.

Mr. Nicholls

On 1 July 1988, a total of 73 inspectors were employed in Her Majesty's mines and quarries inspectorate of the Health and Safety Executive. During 1987–88 the inspectorate rnade over 15,000 visits to premises. This figure includes preventive inspections, investigations of accidents and dangerous occurrences, follow-up visits, meetings with management and safety representatives, and general advisory and edueational work; some visits combined more than one of these purposes. Consequently it would be misleading to refer to an average rate per inspector.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many mines and quarries are eligible for inspection by the Mines and Quarries Inspectorate; and how many inspections are expected to be carried out in the present year.

Mr. Nicholls

All mines and quarries are eligible for inspections under the Mines and Quarries Act 1954 by the Health and Safety Executive's mines and quarries inspectorate. At present, there are 123 British Coal mines, 197 licensed coal mines and 77 miscellaneous mines which produce a variety of other minerals. There are also approximately 3,000 quarries, including 194 opencast sites. It is planned to carry out 15,000 visits to these premises during the 1988–89 year.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the total number of inspections made to mines and quarries within the United Kingdom by the Mines and Quarries Inspectorate for the last year for which figures are available.

Mr. Nicholls

During the year 1987–88, the Health and Safety Executive's mines and quarries inspectorate recorded 7,066 visits to mines, 4,438 visits to quarries and 745 visits to opencast coal sites. In addition, there were 72 visits to mines rescue stations and 199 to other premises. A further 2,442 visits were made to mines and quarries offices.