HC Deb 19 February 1929 vol 225 cc945-6
41. Mr. SNELL

asked the Postmaster-General what was the average number of days of sick leave per head taken during each year of the last three years by women clerical officers, writing assistants, and members of the established typing grades, respectively; and what was the average number of days of sick leave per head taken on account of gastric and nervous trouble, respectively, in the case of each of the above grades during the same period in each of the main sub-departments of his department?

Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSON

The answer contains many figures and with the hon. Member's consent, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is tire answer:

I regret that figures are not available which would show the incidence of sick leave for each of the grades mentioned separately for three years. The general sick leave rates of the Female Clerical and Supervising staffs of the Post Office, which include the grades referred to and other grades, were as follows:

— London. Provinces. Scotland. Northern Ireland.
1927 … 14.3 13.9 10.8 9.4
1920 … 12.9 10.2 14.2 12.7
1925 … 14.0 13.2 12.7 22.3

These figures cover staffs of about 4,300 in London, 1,250 in the Provinces, 300 in Scotland and below 50 in Northern Ireland. Figures for 1928 are not yet available.

As regards gastric and nervous trouble a special analysis of the causes of sick absence of the London staff was made in 1926 with the following results:

Grade. Staff. Average days per head due to-
Gastric Trouble. Nervous Trouble.
Women Clerical Officers. 2,922 .68 2.1
Writing Assistants. 1,707 .56 1.0
Typists 305 1.29 2.8