§ Mrs. Faithasked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the percentage of industrial time lost through absenteeism in 1980; and how this compares with the figures for each of the five previous years.
§ Mr. Peter Morrison[pursuant to his reply, 15 January 1981]: Comprehensive information on industrial absenteeism is not available. However, it is estimated from the general household survey that, in 1978, 8 per cent. of workers in manufacturing industries were absent from work for the whole or part of the reference week. The reasons given were as follows:
Reasons for Absence from Work in Manufacturing Industries in Reference Week, Great Britain 1978 Per cent. of all workers Own illness or accident 6 Strike/short-time/lay-off 1 Personal and other reasons* 1 All reasons* 8 * Excluding holidays. The survey indicates that these percentages have remained relatively unchanged in recent years.