§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Health 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. [26600]
§ Mr. Milburn[holding answer 5 February 1998]: The average number of working days sickness absence per staff-year in the Department in 1995 was 9.8. In 1996, the figure was 7.1.
The only agency for which separate figures are available is the National Health Service Estates Agency. In 1995, the average number of working days sickness absence per staff-year was 5.4. In 1996, the figure was 5.3.
Sickness absence information for 1997 is not yet available. Absence information for the non-departmental public bodies is not held centrally.