HC Deb 13 February 1996 vol 271 cc486-7W
Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) which offices of his Department have dress codes for administrative staff; [14413]

(2) if male staff in his Department are allowed to wear earrings; [142395]

(3) if he will make a statement on the factors which led to the decision not to include staff at grade 7 and above in the dress guidelines issued to staff of the north eastern traffic area office on 29 January; [14400]

(4) what are the requirements on female staff in the dress guidelines issued to staff of the north eastern traffic area office on 29 January; [14396]

(5) what representations he has received in the last 12 months from members of the public with regard to the dress and appearance of staff of the north eastern traffic area office; [14443]

(6) what plans his Department has to introduce a dress code for the administrative staff employed in the north eastern traffic area office; [14414]

(7) if female staff of the north eastern traffic area office are allowed to wear leggings; and if he will make a statement; [14398]

(8) which traffic area officers were visited by the clerk of the north eastern traffic area office in his assessment of the dress guidelines issued on 29 January; [14399]

(9) what instructions he has given to the clerk of the north eastern traffic area office on the matter of a dress code for staff below grade 7 in that office; [14442]

(10) what financial assistance he plans to make available to staff of the north eastern traffic area office to meet the costs of appropriate clothing set out in the dress guidelines issued on 29 January. [14397]

Mr. Norris

The Department's position on dress code is that staff who are required to wear a uniform while on official duty are provided with such uniforms. For other staff, there is no formal dress code nor instructions as to male earrings or leggings for females. This is left as a matter for discussion between local management and the individuals concerned.

The dress guidelines for clerical staff in the North Eastern traffic area office have been suspended pending discussions with the trade union side. There are separate guidelines for staff in the management grades, which include the grade 7 clerk, agreed with the Public Services, Tax and Commerce Union locally.

The dress guidelines had been prepared to give staff an indication of what is considered suitable in the light of the TAO's wish to improve the image and service that it presents to the public. There are no plans to provide additional financial support.