§ Ms. RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport 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. AtkinsThe 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. The Department has made it clear to all staff that sexual harassment at work will not be tolerated and will be dealt with as a disciplinary measure through the Department's complaints procedures. Guidance on reporting complaints has been issued to all staff. Complaints have been recorded since mid-1986. Since then there have been seven formal complaints. It is not the Department's practice to publish disciplinary action taken in individual cases.