HC Deb 10 July 2002 vol 388 cc947-8W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average annual leave entitlement is for staff in her Department in 2002. [64657]

Mr. Morley

Following machinery of government changes and the creation of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, all staff outside the senior civil service were given an annual leave entitlement of 30 days from 1 August 2001. This was done as one of the first steps towards harmonising terms and conditions of service for the then ex-MAFF and ex-DETR staff who joined together to form the new Department.

The annual leave entitlement for members of the senior civil service is currently set by Cabinet Office at 30 days.

Staff working part-time or alternative working patterns are entitled to a proportional amount based on either the number of days or hours they work.

Responsibility for leave matters within the Central Science Laboratory. the Veterinary Laboratories Agency and the Centre for Environmental Fisheries and Aquaculture Agency_all former MAFF Agencies_has been delegated to the Agency Chief Executives and I have asked them to reply direct. The Pesticides Safety Directorate, the Rural Payments Agency and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate Agencies are covered by the departmental response.

Letter from Professor Mike Roberts to Mr. John Bercow, dated July 2002: The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has asked me to reply, in respect of the Central Science Laboratory, to your question concerning annual leave entitlement in 2002. CSL staff outside the Senior Civil Service receive an annual leave allowance as follows: Staff with less than 10 years service: 25 days Staff with over 10 years service: 30 days Based on the above, the average annual leave entitlement for CSL staff in leave year 2002 is 26.5 days. Annual leave entitlement for members of the Senior Civil Service is currently set by the Cabinet Office at 30 days.

Letter from Professor Steven Edwards to Mr. John Bercow, dated June 2002: The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question on what the average annual leave entitlement is for staff in her Department in 2002. All VLA staff outside the Senior Civil Service are entitled to 25 days annual leave on appointment and 30 days when they have completed 10 years service. Staff working part-time or alternative working patterns are entitled to a proportional amount based on either the number of days or hours they work. Information about the average leave entitlement could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Letter from Mr. Greig-Smith to Mr. John Bercow, dated 4 July 2002: The Secretary of State for Environment. Food and Rural Affairs has asked Agency Chief Executives to reply to your question concerning the average annual leave entitlement for their staff. Staff at the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science have an annual leave allowance of 25 days on entry, rising to 30 days after 10 years service.

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