§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the rates of absenteeism in his(a) Department, (b) agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies, for (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97 and (iii) 1997–98 to date; and if he will make a statement. [26634]
§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer 5 February 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 10 February 1998, Official Report, column 116. Information for 1997 will not be available until later this year. The Ministry of Defence has recently taken steps to raise awareness of the issue of absenteeism by producing a booklet for line managers and staff to encourage best practice in monitoring and improving attendance.