§ Mr. ClaphamTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many Health and Safety Executive inspectors are working in the field carrying out inspections; and how many(a) routine visits and (b) accident site examinations they made in 2000–01. [20722]
§ Dr. WhiteheadThere are 1027.4 full-time equivalent inspectors working in the field carrying out inspections. This number does not include 125.3 full-time equivalent specialist inspectors who in the main carry out investigations rather than planned inspections.
In the year 2000–01 they made 80,447 planned inspections and investigated 15,489 incidents. There is no available data on the number of accident site examinations, instead HSE records the number of incidents investigated. In more serious cases several inspectors may make several site examinations for an individual incident investigation.
§ Mr. ClaphamTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the total funding provided to the Health and Safety Executive for 2001–02 is; and what the proposed funding is for 2002–03. [20721]
§ Dr. WhiteheadThe total funding for HSC/E for 2001–02 and proposed funding for 2002–03 is set out in the table. Budget data are provided in the HSC Strategic Plan 2001–04 published in October 2001.
390W
Budget settlements for 2001–02 to 2002 £million 2001–02 plan 2002–03 plan Administration costs 193.7 195.9 Programme expenditure 49.4 54.4 Income -59.4 -58.3 Total HSE resource budget 183.7 192 HSE capital budget 6.9 9.9 HSL resource budget -2.2 -2.2 HSL capital budget 4.2 4.2 Total managed expenditure 192.6 203.9 Note:
From 2001–02, the Government have changed the way they budget and account for public expenditure. Under the new resource accounting and budgeting arrangements Departments and bodies such as HSE have to budget for non-cash costs such as depreciation on fixed assets and a 6 per cent. capital charge on net assets. This budget is reviewed on an annual basis. HSC/E's budget for non-cash costs in 2001–02 is £12 million. (The figures do not include this.)
§ Mr. LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what representations he has received on the promptness of the response of the Health and Safety Executive following the gas explosion in Newton Heath, Manchester on Saturday 17 November; and if he will make a statement. [17148]
§ Mr. ByersPursuant to the answer of 22 November 2001, Official Report, column 393W, I personally received representations from my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Central. I share his concerns about this issue and have asked the Director General of the Health and Safety Executive to provide my hon. Friend with full progress reports of the investigation being conducted by Transco.