asked the Secretary of State for Employment of how many persons the Health and Safety Executive consisted on 14th January 1976.

One person.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment why the Health and Safety Commission did not ensure that the Health and Safety Executive consisted of three persons during the months of January, February and March 1976.

The Executive can operate effectively when there are vacancies in the membership.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment why the appointments of Mr. J. Carver and Mr. H. J. Dunster to membership of the Health and Safety Executive did not take effect immediately Mr. E. C. Williams and Mr. B. S. Harvey ceased to be members.

The necessary procedures and approvals were not completed at that time.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied that the individual instrument of appointment LP24, issued to inspectors appointed by the Executive as required by the Health and Safety at Work, &c., Act 1974, sufficiently identifies the person to whom it is issued.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Keighley (Mr. Cryer) on 20th July.—[Vol. 915, c. 414–15.]

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he has satisfied himself that John Locke had the necessary authority to make all the appointments he did on 14th January 1976 under Section 19 of the Health and Safety at Work, &c., Act 1974.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment why no distinction has been made in the powers conferred upon inspectors appointed under Section 19 of the Health and Safety at Work, &c., Act 1974.

The Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission informs me that distinctions have been made in the powers conferred upon inspectors. For example, powers given to assistant inspectors of factories do not normally include the power to prosecute under Section 39 or the power to issue improvement and prohibition notices under Sections 21 and 22.