HC Deb 10 June 2002 vol 386 cc1103-4W
Mr. Clapham

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many claims for work-related illness were settled by his Department in the last year for which records are available; and what the cost was in compensation. [56075]

Ms Blears

[holding answer 20 May 2002]: There were two successful claims at employment tribunals, against the Department, linked to work-related illness during the year April 2001 to March 2002.

The total compensation paid was £88,500.

Mr. Clapham

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many days of sick leave were taken by employees in his Department in the last year for which records are available; what proportion of those were due to work-related illness or injury; and what the cost was to the Department. [56077]

Ms Blears

[holding answer 20 May 2002]: The latest annual report published by the Cabinet Office, "Analysis of Sickness Absence in the Civil Service—2000", shows that, in 2000, the Department's unadjusted average working day absence per staff year was 5.5, down from 6.6 in 1999. Figures for 2001 or later years are not yet published.

While the Department collects data on sickness absence, which includes work related illness or injury, it is not possible to identify if the cause was work related. It is not possible, therefore, to identify these costs.

Mr. Clapham

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many employees of his Department retired through work-related ill-health in the last year for which records are available; and what the cost was to the Department. [56076]

Ms Blears

[holding answer 20 May 2002]: Records are not maintained by the Department which enable ill health retirements to be separately identified as work related. For the Department the number of staff retired with a medical retirement certificate issued by the civil service pension scheme medical adviser for the period 1 April 2001–30 April 2002 was six.

As to the matter of costs, expenditure for medical retirement is not met by the employing Departments but centrally funded from the Civil Superannuation Vote.