HC Deb 16 April 2002 vol 383 cc835-6W
Lady Hermon

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what reason members of the PSNI are deployed in Kosovo; and when it is planned to return them to police duties in Northern Ireland. [34859]

Jane Kennedy

The Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO), through the NIO, sought, as part of a UK wide contribution, a commitment by the RUC to the UN Mission in Kosovo. PSNI officers are deployed in Kosovo to assist in the restoration of normality, and law and order, by maintaining civil laws and orders, advising and assisting the Kosovo force in maintenance of public security and order and protecting and promoting human rights.

The current deployment of PSNI officers are due to complete their attachment in either May or November 2002.

There are no plans at present to discontinue PSNI deployments to UN peacekeeping missions.

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many and what proportion of employees of the PSNI were off sick on average on each day in the last month for which figures are available; and how many and what proportion of those were(a) absent on self-certification or without authorisation, (b) on sick leave of less than a week, (c) on sick leave of more than one week and less than one month, (d) on sick leave of more than one month and (e) on leave as a result of injuries sustained while on duty. [41237]

Jane Kennedy

The following table details the average sickness figures for the month of February 2002 for police officers and civilian support staff of the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

February 2002 Police officers Support staff
Average total staff 9,445 3,439
Average of total number on sick absence 1,032 258
Average total percentage on sick absence 10.93 7.51
Average number 1–6 days 1145 242
Average percentage sick 1–6 days 14.05 16.28
Average number 7–27 days 184 63
Average percentage 7–27 days 17.83 24.42
Average number sick greater than 27 days 703 153
Average percentage sick greater than 27 days 68.12 59.30
Average number sick per injury on duty 318 3
Average percentage sick per injury on duty 30.81 1.16
1Includes 85 self certified
2Includes 31 self certified