§ Ms. RichardsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his Department's policy on sexual harassment at work; whether guidance on reporting complaints has been issued to all staff; how many complaints have been reported in the past five years; and what disciplinary action has been taken.
§ Mr. RidleyThe Civil Service policy on sexual harassment is set out in the programme of action to achieve equal opportunities for women in the Civil Service, which was published by the Cabinet Office (Management and Personnel Office) in 1984. Sexual harassment at work is not tolerated and is dealt with as a disciplinary matter through departmental complaints procedures. Guidance on reporting complaints has been issued to all staff. No central record of complaints was kept until mid-1986. Since then there have been four complaints which have been fully investigated. It is not the Department's practice to publish the disciplinary action taken in individual cases.