§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) how many sick days were lost in the last year by his Department through staff mental health problems; [112002]
(2) how many of his staff have taken sick leave due to mental health problems in the last year. [111988]
§ Mr. LeslieThe Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was created on 29 May 2002. Since that date 52 staff (an equivalent to slightly over 2,000 days) in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, excluding the Government Offices and its four Executive Agencies, have taken sick leave for causes which may be considered of this nature.
Information for the Government Offices and the Office's Agencies is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister recognises its legal obligation to provide a safe working environment for employees and has a commitment to meeting targets for reducing the number of working days lost due to work related injuries and illness arising from the Government's "Revitalising Health and Safety" initiative.