§ Mrs. Ann TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to improve staffing and resources of Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryI refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 18 December by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment and Countryside to the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce).
§ Mr. Frank CookTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment for which matters concerning the policy and operations of Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution he is responsible to Parliament.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryHer Majesty's inspectorate of pollution is part of the Department of the Environment and reports jointly to the Secretaries of State for the Environment and for Wales.
§ Mr. Frank CookTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many posts remain vacant in Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution; what are the reasons for the shortfall; what steps he is taking to fill the vacancies; and how many and which of the vacancies are in the senior management level of the inspectorate.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryHer Majesty's inspectorate of pollution staff complement was increased from 219 to 240 from 2 October 1989. Vacant posts at 1 November 1989 numbered 41, most of which were professional posts. It is difficult to establish precisely the reasons for the shortfall. It reflects, inter alia, the limited pool of necessary specialist skills and experience available, and market rates of pay. To fill the vacant posts Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution is undertaking a recruitment campaign offering exceptional salary increases of 28.5 per cent. over those offered in the last recruitment round. There is one vacancy currently at senior management level in the inspectorate.
§ Mr. Frank CookTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps have been taken to ensure that Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution has sufficient personnel fully to implement its responsibilities for the radiation monitoring network.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryAs a result of an open competition the Department hopes to fill the final remaining post on the radiation monitoring network team.