§ Mr. SoamesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Sussex constabulary on the number of hours lost through sick leave by the Sussex police; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter LloydIn the calendar year 1990, the Sussex police recorded a total of 30,163 days sick leave—based on an eight-hour day. This amounts to 4.4 per cent. of available working days or an average of 10.1 days per officer. Both figures are below the national average.
25WAccounts of positive action being taken by the Sussex police to control and monitor sick absence appear in the chief constable's report for 1990 and in a report by Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary on the force inspection undertaken in November last year. Copies of these are available in the Library. A further interim inspection is due to take place in November 1991. My right hon. Friend does not propose to call for a separate report.
§ Mr. Ralph HowellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of days lost through sickness by the police for the last available year, and the number of statutory sick days allowed in each section.
§ Mr. Peter LloydIn the calendar year 1990 an average of 11.6 days per officer were lost through sickness in provincial forces and 12.5 days in the Metropolitan police. In line with general legislation, regulation 34 of the Police Regulations 1987 (as amended) provides for officers to take seven days self-certificated leave per year. This is at the discretion of the police authority. Thereafter, a doctor's certificate is required.