§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the rate of staff(a) absenteeism and (b) sickness was in her Department in each year from 1990–91 to 2002–03; what the target set is for her Department; and if she will make a statement. [93512]
§ Mrs. LiddellThe Scotland Office was established in its present form on 1 July 1999.
Details of staff absenteeism are given in the following table:
Dates Working days lost due to sickness 1 July 1999 to 31 March 2000 396 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001 662.5 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002 601.5 1 April 2002 to 30 November 2002 479 My Department is committed to reducing the levels of sick absence and has recently introduced a new management attendance procedure. Absence will continue to be monitored closely but no targets have yet been set.