§ Ms. QuinTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 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. Forth[holding answer 5 March 1990]: The policy of my Department is to regard any form of sexual harassment as totally unacceptable. Guidance on reporting complaints has been issued to all staff. Five complaints have been reported in the past five years. Of these, one was withdrawn by the complainant before it was investigated, and two were found to have insufficient evidence to support further action. In the other two disciplinary charges were brought and penalties imposed.