§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many agricultural inspectors have been employed by his Department for each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NichollsThe total number of agricultural inspectors employed by the Health and Safety Executive in each year since 1979 is as follows:
1 April Number 1979 190 1980 178 1981 176 1982 166 1983 159 1984 154 1985 162 1986 163 1987 166 1988 158 1989 165 1 July 1989 167 The commission and executive plan to have 175 agricultural inspectors in post by April 1990.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the number of environmental training courses that have been organised for agricultural inspectors for each year since 1986; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NichollsEnvironmental training for agricultural inspectors has formed part of the Health and Safety Executive's training programme for enforcement of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 (FEPA). Thirteen FEPA courses were held between February 1986 and February 1987. Such training also forms part of the intensive training of all new agricultural inspectors recruited to HSE.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement about the role and duties of his agricultural inspectors.
§ Mr. NichollsHer Majesty's agricultural inspectors are appointed by HSE under the provisions of section 19(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 for carrying into effect the relevant statutory provisions within their field of responsibility namely, agriculture, horticulture, forestry and allied industries. Their work also involves an enforcement role under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985.
Inspectors are responsible for seeing that HSE's objectives are met. The aim is through selective inspection, 872W advice, persuasion and where necessary the enforcement of legal requirement, to secure good standards of health and safety in the agricultural industry and to see that reasonable steps are taken to ensure that agricultural activities do not endanger the public.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what new areas of responsibility were placed on his agricultural inspectors as a result of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1986; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NichollsThe Health and Safety Executive's agricultural inspectors are authorised to enforce the Control of Pesticides Regulations (CoPR) 1986 made under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985. The regulations provide protection for the users of pesticides, the public and the environment by imposing statutory controls on the sale, supply, advertisement, storage and use of pesticides. Inspectors provide advice and guidance on the legislation and carry out enforcement duties on those premises where HSE is already the enforcing authority.
The Government increased the commission's financial provision for 1988–89; the additional resources will be used in part to increase numbers of inspectors in the agricultural inspectorate to enforce CoPR.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has any plans to increase the number of agricultural inspectors employed by his Department; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NichollsMinisters agreed in the last public expenditure round to increase financial provision to the Health and Safety Commission and Executive for 1989–92, and this will allow for an increase in the total number of agricultural inspectors employed.
The commission and executive plan to have 175 agricultural inspectors in post by April 1990, compared with 167 in post on 1 July 1989.
A recruitment board has just completed interviewing candidates, and offers of appointment will be made shortly; a further recruitment exercise is planned for later in the year.