HC Deb 31 October 1989 vol 159 cc161-2W
Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has had from trade unions about the understaffing of the Health and Safety Executive.

Mr. Nicholls

Since the beginning of 1989, my right hon. Friend has had representations about the staffing of the Health and Safety Executive from the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC), the Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians (UCATT), and the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions (CSEU).

Mr Cryer

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the number of inspectors employed by the Health and Safety Executive.

Mr. Nicholls

On 1 October 1989, a total of 1,204.5 inspectors were in post in the Health and Safety Executive. The executive plans to increase the total number of inspectors employed to 1,277 by 1 April 1990.

Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many members of the Health and Safety Executive's management board possess(a) professional management or (b) professional accounting qualifications.

Mr. Nicholls

One member of the Health and Safety Executive management board holds a professional management qualification. None of the members holds a professional accounting qualification.

Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many staff, and of which grades, are employed in the Health and Safety Executive's press department.

Mr. Nicholls

The number of staff and their grades employed in the Health and Safety Executive press department as at 1 October 1989 is as follows:

  • 1 Grade 7
  • 5 Senior Press Officers (SIO Grade)
  • 2 Press Officers (IO Grade)
  • 1 Executive Officer
  • 1 Administrative Officer
  • 1 Administrative Assistant
  • 1 Personal Secretary
  • 1 Part-time Personal Secretary