§ Mr. JenkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many members of staff of his Department are members of the Territorial forces; and if he has a strategy to encourage members of staff to become members of the Territorial forces. [44069]
§ Ms BlearsThe Department does not record details of civil service staff who are also members of the Territorial forces.
The Civil Service Management Code (paragraph 9.2.5) requires Departments and agencies to allow members of the Reserve Forces, Territorial Army or Cadet Forces time off work. The decision over whether such time off is, paid or unpaid has been delegated to Departments and agencies.
The Department has a special leave policy that allows members of the Reserve Forces, Territorial Army and Cadet Forces to take special leave with pay for periods of training. Staff are also permitted to accept payments in respect of their membership of the Reserve Forces. Territorial Army and Cadet Forces.