HC Deb 26 February 2002 vol 380 cc1193-4W
Dr. Cable

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many employees in her Department who regularly use computers have taken up the provision of a free eye test; and how this service is advertised to (a) current and (b) new staff. [36699]

Mr. Morley

DEFRA was created in June 2001. Statistics covering staff currently in DEFRA but previously in the DETR or the Home Office are not available prior to that date. Under the current contract arrangements—which have been in place since 1 May 2000–1,399 members of staff to date have taken up the provision of a free eye test.

Full scheme details are accessible via the Department's intranet Health and Safety website. The service is advertised using a variety of office notice systems (electronic and hard-copy), regular reminders on the intranet, and is also detailed in a variety of departmental health and safety booklets which are given to new entrants by personnel and line managers.