§ Ms. RichardsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's policy on sexual harassment at work; whether guidance on reporting complaints has been issued to all staff; how many complaints have been reported in the past five years; and what disciplinary action has been taken.
§ Mr. SainsburyThe Civil Service policy on sexual harassment is set out in the programme of action to achieve equal opportunities for women in the Civil Service which was published by the Cabinet Office (Management and Personnel Office) in 1984. Sexual harassment at work is not tolerated and is dealt with as a disciplinary matter through the usual Civil Service complaints procedures.
The MOD is in the process of discussing and agreeing departmental guidelines, on policy and procedures to be followed in cases of sexual harassment, with the MOD trades unions.
Cases of sexual harassment are recorded centrally in MOD only if they result in a disciplinary penalty. Statistics are available for the past four years; there have been four such cases and the penalties ranged from dismissal to suspension from duty without pay.