§ Mr. Onslowasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many of the non-industrial staff of his Department were absent without authority on 14 May; how many of these hold politically sensitive posts; and if he will take steps to transfer those officials in the latter category to work where opposition to Government policy does not matter.
§ Mr. HeseltineSupport for the TUC's Day of Action in the Department was small, amounting to no more than 1 per cent. of the total staff in post. It is unlikely that any of the people concerned hold politically sensitive posts. Such unauthorised absences as there were were584W mainly by junior officers in the clerical grades (over 85 per cent. of all absences). Support from the administrative grades, where politically sensitive posts are concentrated, was confined to one principal (Countryside Commission) and one economic adviser (directorate of economics and statistics).