HC Deb 20 January 2003 vol 398 c83W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many days were lost due to sickness absence in the Department in 2002. [90546]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

The number of days per employee lost due to illness in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 2002 and each of the five preceding years is as follows.

Number of days per employee
2002 5.7
2001 6.6
2000 6.3
1999 N/A
1998 8.0
1997 8.9

Notes:

1. Figures for 1997 to 1998 have been uplifted to account for different recording practices in different parts of the Department and its overseas posts.

2. Figures for 1999 could be provided only at disproportionate costs, as the method of recording changed part way through 1999.

3. FCO figures are recorded as total days (not working days).

Mr. Evans

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many working days have been lost due to illness in his Department in(a) 2002 and (b) each of the preceding five years.m [90968]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow) today (UIN 90546).