§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of senior civil servants in his Department have signed waivers to work voluntarily more than 48 hours a week; and if he will make a statement. [160885]
367W
§ Ms StuartThere are currently 16 waivers signed by senior civil servants in the Department of Health. This figure includes eight waivers relating to staff in the regional offices and two waivers relating to staff of executive agencies of the Department.
This represents just under 4 per cent. of the total number of senior civil servants employed by the Department as at 1 April 2001. Although this represents only a small proportion of senior civil servants in the Department, I am determined to improve the work/life balance of staff throughout my Department and there is currently a project under way to address all such long working hours.