§ 15. Mr. Osborneasked the Postmaster-General how much sick leave with pay was taken in his Department in the years 1936, 1946 and 1956; and what were the average weekly working hours.
§ Mr. MarplesThe average number of days sick absence per person for non-disabled established staff in the years 1936, 1946, and 1956 was as follows: in 1936, 9.0 for men and 10.3 for women; in 1946, 12.3 for men and 15.9 for women; and in 1956, 12.3 for men and 14.8 for women. Almost all of this was paid sick leave.
Working hours, comprising normal attendances and overtime, vary widely for the many grades of Post Office staff. I regret that statistics are not available to provide the information requested.
§ Mr. OsborneMay I ask my right hon. Friend why there should be this great increase in sickness under a free National Health Service? How much is it costing us, how far is it responsible for the increase in costs, and has any investigation been made to see whether or not it is being abused?
§ Mr. MarplesIf my hon. Friend will put some of those detailed questions on the Order Paper, I will try to answer them. The disturbing rise in sick leave took place between 1949 and 1951, which coincided with the introduction of the National Health Service and the ending of the former system, whereby all sick leave for the rank and file had to be certified by Post Office doctors. For 1956, the figures quoted now are the lowest both for men and women since 1948, and since 1951, to which a previous Question referred, the figures for both men and women have shown a steady decline.
§ Mr. RobensIs it not a fact that whenever an individual is absent through sickness, the illness is certified by a medical practitioner? Is it the suggestion of the hon. Member for Louth (Mr. Osborne)that certificates from practitioners are wrong?
§ Mr. MarplesEvery case of sick leave is, of course, supported by a medical certificate.