HC Deb 28 July 1977 vol 936 cc448-9W
Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if, in view of the existence of serial numbers on survey forms of the Occupational Health Survey of the Health and Safety Executive, he is satisfied about the confidentiality of the survey.

Mr. John Grant

Yes. I am assured by the Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that the completed questionnaire is available only to the Health and Safety Executive which has not been informed of the names of the respondents.

Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the cost of the Occupational Health Survey which is being conducted by the Health and Safety Executive.

Mr. John Grant

The administrative overhead costs of the survey to date have been approximately £500.

Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for Employment why it is necessary for the Health and Safety Executive to ask respondents to his Occupational Health Survey the following questions: "Has your sexual interest altered?" and "Do you find that silly or unreasonable thoughts keep recurring in your mind?"

Mr. John Grant

I am informed by the Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that the questions asked in the survey are an integral part of a standard well-validated questionnaire designed to determine the incidence of stress in the working population. Their omission would necessarily alter the reliability and validity of the questionnaire.

Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people are being asked to participate in the Occupational Health Survey of the Health and Safety Executive.

Mr. John Grant

I am informed by the Chairman of the Health and Safety Executive that approximately 24,000 people chosen at random are being asked to participate in the Occupational Health Survey.

Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people employed at the Health and Safety Executive are involved in the Occupational Health Survey.

Mr. John Grant

The survey is being conducted by three employees of the Health and Safety Executive—including support staff.