§ Mr. McFallTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what attempts have been made to identify stress-related illnesses suffered by staff in social security offices; and what is being done to alleviate the problem.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardWe have recently changed the system of collecting information on sick absences to provide more detailed analysis of illnesses which could be stress-related. The first analysis will be available in about 12 months time and will give a clearer basis for identifying any problem in this area and for exploring what needs to be done. This Department is also taking part in a long-term study on health and stress being conducted by University college, London, in conjunction with the Civil Service occupational health service.