§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many employees in(a) her Department and (b) her Department's agencies and non-departmental public bodies have had private medical insurance provided for them in each year since 1997–98; what the total cost is; and if she will make a statement. [32318]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 6 February 2002]: The Department follows the guidance in paragraph 7.1.7 of the Civil Service Management Code which prohibits Departments and agencies from providing staff with private medical insurance.
Non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) are not bound by the Management Code and have provided the following benefits:
1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 Number of Employees 275 286 298 307 Total Cost £147k £148k £131k £157k