§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list those occupations, professions or industries where it is the custom and practice for sabbatical leave to be granted; and if he proposes to take action to encourage this practice amongst other occupations, professions or industries.
§ Mr. Harold Walker:My Department does not keep information of the kind requested. So far as I am aware it is only amongst academic staff in institutions of further and higher education that sabbatical leave is significant, and in those cases it is granted at the discretion of the individual institution.
It is for negotiators to decide whether to introduce or extend the provision of sabbatical leave. But the costs involved, unless fully offset by increased productivity, must count towards the level of settlement and are subject to the Government's pay guidelines.