§ Mr. FraserTo ask the Attorney-General 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.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe policy in each of the Departments for which I am responsible is that sexual harassment at work would not be tolerated and, if appropriate, would be dealt with as a disciplinary matter.
No specific guidance on reporting complaints has been issued to staff in the legal secretariat to the Law Officers, the Treasury Solicitor's Department or in the Serious Fraud Office. In the Crown prosecution service, the issue of sexual harassment at work is addressed directly in the CPS equal opportunities policy statement which is held by every local office for consultation by any member of staff.
No complaints have been reported in the legal secretariat to the Law Officers or the Serious Fraud Office. In the Treasury Solicitor's Department one complaint has been made in the last five years but has subsequently been 422W withdrawn. In the Crown prosecution service one complaint has been reported and disciplinary action is under consideration.