asked the Secretary of State for Employment which nuclear installations in the past three years have been without a permanent inspector of the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate; over what period; and if he will make a statement.

I am advised by the Health and Safety Executive that in the past three years all licensed nuclear installations, and those operated by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, have had a Nuclear Installations Inspectorate inspector designated to cover the site, supported as necessary by specialist staff of the inspectorate.