HC Deb 24 February 2003 vol 400 cc331-2W
Mr. Laws

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the rate of staff(a) absenteeism and (b) sickness was in his Department and each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies in each year from 1990–91 to 2002–03; what the target set is for his Department; and if he will make a statement. [93502]

Mr. Blunkett

Information on absenteeism is not collected centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Information on Sickness Absence can be found in the annual report "analysis of sickness Absence in the Civil Service" published by the Cabinet Office. The average number of lost working days owing to sickness is as follows:

1997 11.4
1998 10.4
1999 11.1
2000 11.2
2001 8.0⋆
⋆This figure is currently being re-assessed and any corrections to the published figure for 2001 will be included in the 2002 report.

Figures for 1991–1996 are not available and figures for 2002 will be announced in due course.

The Home Office have introduced new guidelines, policies and procedures with a view to meeting its target to reducing sickness absence, published in its Service Delivery Agreements for April 2001 to March 2004.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many days were lost due to sickness absence in the Department in 2002. [90533]

Mr. Blunkett

Information on Sickness Absence can be found in the annual report "Analysis of Sickness Absence in the Civil Service" published by the Cabinet Office. The most recent report for the calendar year 2001 was announced by Ministerial Statement on 19 December 2002 and copies placed in the Library. The figures for 2002 will be announced in due course.

Mr. Evans

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many working days have been lost due to illness in his Department in(a) 2002 and (b) each of the preceding five years. [90974]

Mr. Blunkett

Information on Sickness Absence can he found in the annual report "Analysis of Sickness Absence in the Civil Service" published by the Cabinet Office. The average number of working days lost owing to sickness is as follows:

1997 11.4
1998 10.4
1999 11.1
2000 11.2
2001 8.0⋆
The figures for 2002 are not yet available and will be announced in due course.
⋆This figure is currently being reassessed and any correction to the published figure for 2001 will be included in the 2002 Report.