§ Ms HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated as to the effectiveness of occupational health programmes in the workplace leading to (i) greater productivity, (ii) less sick leave, (iii) higher rates of retention of staff and (iv) better working relationships; and if he will make a statement. [3753]
§ Mr. HoramHealth promotion is one aspect of occupational health which falls to the Department. The Department of Health set up the workplace task force which evaluated the available research on health promotion programmes in the workplace. As a result, last month the Department published a resource pack for employers and will shortly be setting up a workplace health advisory team which will assist small and medium-sized firms to provide health promotion in the workplace.