§ Mrs. Ann TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the current level of understaffing at Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution; and what proposals he has to meet the problem.
§ Mr. TrippierThe staff compliment for Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution was increased from 219 to 240 from 2 October 1989. Staff in post at 1 November 1989 was 199. Most of the vacancies are for pollution inspectors and to fill these posts Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution are undertaking a recruitment campaign offering exceptional salary increases of 28.5 per cent. over those offered in the last recruitment round.
§ Mrs. Ann TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the annual report of Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution will be published.
§ Mr. TrippierThe annual report for 1988–89 will be published as soon as possible in the new year.
Mr. Alan W. WilliamsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how often samples of the flue gases from the Rechem plant at Pontypool are analysed for dioxin and polychlorinated biphenyl content by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution; and if he will summarise the results of such analysis by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution since 1987.
§ Mr. TrippierFlue gases from the Rechem plant at Pontypool are sampled by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution and analysed specifically for polychlorinated biphenyl approximately twice a year. Figures are 735W considerably less thay 0.01 mg/m3. Sampling and analysis for dioxins and dibenzofurans is carried out less frequently. The latest summary figures for January 1989 are:
- Tetrachlorodibenzodioxins (total)—less than 0.025 ng/m3
- Tetrachlorodibenzofurans (total)—0.12 ng/m3
Mr. Alan W. WilliamsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the latest total number of staff employed by(a) Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution and (b) the National Rivers Authority.
§ Mr. TrippierStaff in post in Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution at 1 November were 199.
Staff in post in the National Rivers Authority at 31 October were 6,332.
§ Mr. BellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which regional office of Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution will be responsible for meeting the environmental demands of Cleveland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryThe regulatory responsibilities of Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution in Cleveland will be discharged by the Northern region of HMIP, based in Leeds.
§ Dr. Kim HowellsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if replacements have been found for the three senior inspectors who resigned in 1989 from Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution.
§ Mr. Trippier[holding answer 12 December 1989]: One senior member of staff resigned from Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution in 1989 and will leave at the end of the year. Arrangements are in hand to appoint a successor. Two senior members of staff resigned in 1988. Their posts have been absorbed into the reorganised structure of the inspectorate, details of which were announced on 2 October 1989.
§ Dr. Kim HowellsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what reasons were tendered by the individuals concerned for the resignations from Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution by Mr. Michael Thayer and other senior inspectors.
§ Mr. Trippier[holding answer 12 December 1989]: It is not customary to disclose details of personnel matters.