§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when she will publish statistics on progress towards reducing sickness absence in the civil service in 1998 and 1999; and if she will make a statement. [130715]
§ Mr. StringerThe civil service is collectively working towards reducing sickness absence by 20 per cent. by 2001 and 30 per cent. by 2003, against a 1998 baseline. Details of sickness absence in the civil service for 1998 were given in the answer my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Stevenage (Barbara Follett) on 11 May 2000,Official Report, columns 433–34W. Figures for 1999 will be available shortly.