§ Mr. CryerTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the average number of years between each visit of a factory inspector to factories employing less than 200 people; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. McLoughlinInformation is not available in the form requested. Visits to workplaces including factories are made for a variety of purposes including planned inspection, and visits to give advice and guidance as well as to investigate incidents or complaints.
When planning visits to workplaces the Health and Safety Executive give priority to premises which were known to pose a higher risk, or potential risk, to employees and the public.
§ Mr. CryerTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current number of factory inspectors in post(a) of a general nature and (b) specialists; how many vacancies exist; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. McLoughlinOn 1 March 1993, 708.0 factory inspectors and 253.0 specialist inspectors were in post in the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The published planned targets for 1.4.93 were 739.5 and 242.5 respectively. Figures given are full-time equivalent posts (part timers) are counted as half units).
Forty five factory inspectors have been recruited and are due to start employment in HSE between April and June 1993.