§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many professional vacancies remain unfilled at Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution; what he proposes to do to remedy the situation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-Amory[holding answer 11 May 1990]: There are currently 25 professional vacancies in Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution, seven of which are reserved for successful candidates to date from the current recruitment competition. We are continuing to recruit actively to fill the remaining posts.
Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution has also introduced an additional assistant pollution inspector recruitment grade, for candidates with full professional qualifications and at least two years industry experience, who will qualify as pollution inspectors through further training and experience in the inspectorate. This will widen the recruitment for future pollution inspectors, while fully maintaining the present professional standards. The first recruitment competition for APIs is now in progress.