§ Mr. Onslowasked the Minister for the Civil Service how many non-industrial civil servants in the headquarters of each Government Department deliberately absented themselves from work on 14 May; what proportion the figure represents, in each case, of the total headquarters non-industrial staff; and how many of those who were so absent held potentially sensitive posts.
§ Mr. ChannonFinal returns have not yet been received, but I understand that approximately 10,500 non-industrial civil servants (or just less than 2 per cent.) were absent without authority on 14 May. Departments were not asked to provide my Department with details of the location of the staff concerned, nor with details of the work on which they are engaged.