HC Deb 08 January 2002 vol 377 c776W
Mr. Pike

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how often since 1998 inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive have(a) made (i) announced and (ii) unannounced visits to asbestos removal sites and (b) entered the asbestos stripping enclosure during both such types of visit; and if he will make a statement. [23891]

Dr. Whitehead

I have been asked to reply.

(a) Health and Safety Executive inspectors have the discretion to decide whether to announce their visits in advance or whether to arrive on site unannounced. The system for recording the number of visits made by HSE inspectors does not differentiate between the two. The number of visits made by HSE inspectors since 1998 is as follows:

Visits
1998–99 1,023
1999—2000 974
2000–01 951

(b) The Health and Safety Executive do not gather information about the number of HSE inspectors who enter asbestos stripping enclosures during visits to asbestos work.