§ Mr. MerchantTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when the staff rules of her Department were last revised.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe last amendment to the staff rules was issued on 20 August 1991. The Department is currently preparing a new staff handbook incorporating the existing staff rules which will be issued shortly.
§ Mr. MerchantTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what delegation of authority for disciplinary matters is provided for in her Department's staff rules.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe permanent head of the Department has responsibility for all disciplinary matters. He remains personally involved in all disciplinary cases at grade 5 level and above but disciplinary powers relating to members of staff at grade 6 and below are delegated depending on the grade of the member of staff concerned.