HC Deb 13 April 1994 vol 241 c172W
Mr. Chris Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total staff complement of Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution; how many of these are inspectors with responsibility for integrated pollution control enforcement at site level; how many site visits have been made to part A prescribed processes in 1991, 1992 and 1993; and what targets have been set for IPC inspection staff, enforcement activity and site visits for 1994 and 1995.

Mr. Atkins

As at 1 April 1994, the total staff complement of Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution was 434.5. At that date, there were 122 complemented inspector posts with responsibility for integrated pollution control enforcement at site level. Data on site visits are kept by financial year. In 1991–92, there were 1,205 site visits to part A prescribed processes regulated under integrated pollution control.IPC; in 1992–93, there were 3,364 visits and in 1993–94—in the period to end of December 1993—there were 3,495 visits.

The target is to maintain the complement for IPC inspection staff in 1994–95 at 122 posts. Enforcement activity is reactive, but resources will be made available for it as necessary. The target for site visits to part A prescribed processes in 1994–95 is 3,030.

The actual number of visits is expected to be greater than this number because of additional reactive visits which will be made in response to complaints and incidents as they arise.