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To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many of her staff have taken sick leave due to mental health problems in the last year. - Inc figures and text of letters from Mike Roberts of the Central Science Laboratory and Steven Edwards of the...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many of her staff have taken sick leave due to mental health problems in the last year. - Inc figures and text of letters from Mike Roberts of the Central Science Laboratory and Steven Edwards of the...
Asked by
Paul Marsden
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Alun Michael
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
1 May 2003
For answer on
10 July 2003
Answered on
10 July 2003
Mr. Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many of her staff have taken sick leave
due to mental health problems in the last year. [111986]
Alun Michael: Using a wide definition of mental health, including such issues as stress and alcoholism, 659 people out of the 10,568
staff employed in Defra took sick leave during 2002 due to mental health problems.
The Department is committed to the effective support of staff and management of sickness absence as well as to meeting its Service
Delivery Agreement for reducing sickness absence by the end of 2003. The Department is also committed to reducing the number of
working days lost from work related injury and ill health, in response to the government's Revitalising Health and Safety
initiative.
The departmental response includes the Veterinary Medicines Directorate and Pesticides Safety Directorate Agencies. Responsibility
for sickness absence within the Central Science Laboratory Agency, the Veterinary Laboratories Agency, the Rural Payments Agency and
the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science Agency has been delegated to the Agency Chief Executives and I have
asked them to reply direct.
Letter from Professor Mike Roberts to Mr. Paul Marsden, dated May 2003:
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has asked me to reply, with respect to the Central Science
Laboratory, to your question concerning how many staff took sick leave due to mental health problems in the last year.
In the calendar year 2002, a total of 26 CSL staff took sick leave for reasons that could justifiably be classified as `mental
health'.
CSL has been successful in managing sickness absence through innovations such as recruiting a dedicated Occupational Health
professional, running regular health awareness campaigns and carrying out all-staff health surveys. This has contributed to CSL
achieving the Civil Service sickness absence target of 7.2 days per employee a year early.
CSL remains closely aware of it's legal duty to provide a safe working environment for all it's employees and is committed both to
operating best practice in this area and to meeting the targets set out in the `Revitalising Health & Safety' initiative.
Letter from Professor Steven Edwards to Mr. Paul Marsden, dated May 2003:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question on how many of her staff have taken sick leave due to mental health
problems in the last year.
51 Staff in the VLA took sick leave during 2002 due to mental health problems.
VLA is committed to the effective management of sickness absence and to meeting its Service Delivery Agreement for reducing sickness
absence by the end of 2003. We are also committed to reducing the number of working days lost from work-related injury and ill
health, in response to the government's Revitalising Health and Safety initiative.
Subjects
Civil servants; Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Government departments; Mental illness; Sick leave
Date
10 July 2003
Reference
111986; 408 c918W;408 c916W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many sick days were lost over the last year by her Department through staff mental health problems. - Inc figures and text of letters from Mike Roberts of the CSL, Steven Edwards of the VLA, Peter Greig-Smith...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many sick days were lost over the last year by her Department through staff mental health problems. - Inc figures and text of letters from Mike Roberts of the CSL, Steven Edwards of the VLA, Peter Greig-Smith...
Asked by
Paul Marsden
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Alun Michael
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Answering body
Rural Payments Agency
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
1 May 2003
For answer on
10 July 2003
Answered on
10 July 2003
Mr. Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many sick days were lost over the last
year by her Department through staff mental health problems. [112000]
Alun Michael: Out of a total of 2,324,960 potential calendar working days for staff in Defra 21,854 were lost during 2002 due to
staff sickness with mental health problems. These figures include the Veterinary Medicines Directorate and Pesticides Safety
Directorate Agencies. Responsibility for sickness absence within the Central Science Laboratory Agency, the Veterinary Laboratories
Agency, the Rural Payments Agency and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science Agency has been delegated to the
Agency Chief Executives and I have asked them to reply direct.
Letter from Professor Mike Roberts to Mr. Paul Marsden, dated May 2003:
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has asked me to reply, with respect to the Central Science
Laboratory, to your question concerning how many sick days were lost by CSL due to staff mental health problems in the last year.
In the calendar year 2002, CSL lost a total of 684 work days for reasons that could justifiably be classified as `mental health'.
CSL has been successful in managing sickness absence through innovations such as recruiting a dedicated Occupational Health
professional, running regular health awareness campaigns and carrying out all-staff health surveys. This has contributed to CSL
achieving the Civil Service sickness absence target of 7.2 days per employee a year early.
CSL remains closely aware of it's legal duty to provide a safe working environment for all it's employees and is committed both to
operating best practice in this area and to meeting the targets set out in the `Revitalising Health & Safety' initiative.
Letter from Professor Steven Edwards to Mr. Paul Marsden, dated May 2003:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question on how many sick days were lost over the last year by her department
through staff mental health problems.
3,002 calendar days were lost in the VLA during 2002 due to staff sickness with mental health problems.
VLA is committed to the effective management of sickness absence and to meeting its Service Delivery Agreement for reducing sickness
absence by the end of 2003. We are also committed to reducing the number of working days lost from work-related injury and ill
health, in response to the government's Revitalising Health and Safety initiative.
Letter from Peter Greig-Smith to Mr. Paul Marsden, dated May 2003:
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has asked me to reply to your questions regarding mental health
problems. I am replying on behalf of the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS).
PQ 2872
From the 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2003 28 members of staff have taken sick leave due to mental health problems.
PQ 2874
From the 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2003 493 working days were lost through staff mental health problems.
PQ 2875
From the 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2003 Nil return for staff retiring on medical grounds due to mental health problems.
CEFAS has successfully introduced a scheme for `Return to Workplace' interviews and is fully committed to managing attendance
effectively. We are on target for achieving the reduced levels of sickness absence we have set out for the Agency.
Letter from Johnston McNeill to Mr. Paul Marsden, dated 26 March 2003:
I have been asked to respond directly to your three recent Parliamentary Questions concerning mental health issues.
I will address your first two questions together:
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many of his staff have taken sick leave due to
mental health problems in the last year.
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many sick days were lost over the last year by
his Department through staff mental health problems.
Information on the number of staff who have taken sick leave due to mental health reasons and how many days were lost over the last
year through staff mental health problems is not available for the Rural Payments Agency (RPA).
RPA is a relatively new organisation formed in October 2001. As such we are still developing a computerised Personnel System to
provide sickness absence data of the kind requested. Specific information on numbers of staff absent and days lost due to mental
health problems over the last year could only be obtained at disproportionate administrative cost and time.
Turning to your third question:
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many of his staff retired on medical grounds
due to mental health problems in the last year.
Two members of staff from the RPA retired on medical grounds due to mental health problems in the last year.
RPA is committed to managing sickness absence effectively and to meeting internal performance targets for reducing sickness absence
for 2003-04. We have developed a sickness absence management policy and procedures that includes a revised strategy for managing
long term sickness absence, for implementation from May 2003.
RPA also acts responsibly to the legal obligation to provide a safe working environment for employees and is committed to meeting
targets for reducing the number of working days lost generally due to work related injuries and illness, arising from the
Government's Revitalising Health and Safety initiative.
Subjects
Civil servants; Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Government departments; Mental illness; Sick leave
Date
10 July 2003
Reference
112000; 408 c918-20W;408 c916-8W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many staff in the Department have been on long-term sick leave in each of the last two years. - Includes ref to 30 April 2003 at 404 c383-5W and text of letters from Peter Greig-Smith of Centre...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many staff in the Department have been on long-term sick leave in each of the last two years. - Includes ref to 30 April 2003 at 404 c383-5W and text of letters from Peter Greig-Smith of Centre...
Asked by
John Bercow
(Conservative)
Answered by
Alun Michael
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Answering body
Rural Payments Agency
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
20 May 2003
For answer on
4 June 2003
Answered on
4 June 2003
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many staff in the Department have been on
long-term sick leave in each of the last two years. [115851]
Alun Michael: I would refer the hon. Member to my earlier reply of 30 April 2003, Official Report,
column 383W.
Responsibility for attendance matters within the Central Science Laboratory Agency, the Veterinary Laboratories Agency, the Rural
Payments Agency and the Centre for the Environmental Fisheries and Aquaculture Science Agency has been delegated to the Agency Chief
Executives and I have asked them to reply direct. The Pesticides Safety Directorate and Veterinary Medicines Directorate Agency are
covered by the Departmental response.
Letter from Peter Greig-Smith to Mr. Bercow, dated May 2003:
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has asked me to reply to your question regarding how many staff were
on long term sick leave in each of the last two years. I am replying on behalf of the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and
Aquaculture Science (CEFAS).
For CEFAS staff, a review of point of 60 days (ie 2 months or more) is used to define long term absence. During the past 2 years,
the numbers of staff on long term absence were as follows:
2001--9
2002--7
CEFAS has successfully introduced a scheme for `Return to Workplace' interviews and is fully committed to managing attendance
effectively. We are on target for achieving the reduced levels of sickness absence we have set out for the Agency.
Letter from Steven Edwards to Mr. Bercow dated May 2003:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question regarding how many staff in her Department have been on long- term
sick leave in each of the last two years.
There is no central definition of what constitutes long-term sick absence. VLA has adopted a pro-active stance to monitoring
attendance with earlier and speedier referrals to the Occupational Physician.
The following figures cover staff within VLA for absences beginning in the years listed:
2001--15
2002--20
VLA is committed to the effective management of sickness absence and to meeting sickness absence reduction targets.
Letter from Professor Mike Roberts to Mr. Bercow dated May 2003:
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has asked me to reply, with respect to the Central Science
Laboratory, to your question concerning how many staff were on long-term sick leave in each of the last two years.
I would refer the Honourable Member to my letter of 15 April 2003 in response to Parliamentary Question No. 2668 which contained
details of CSL's long-term sick absence for each of the last five years.
Letter from Johnston McNeill to Mr. Bercow dated 23 May 2003:
I have been asked to respond directly to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning long term sick leave.
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many staff in her Department have been on long
term sick leave in each of the last two years.
Information on the number of staff who have been on long term sick leave in each of the last two years is not available for the
Rural Payments Agency (RPA).
RPA is a relatively new organisation formed in October 2001. RPA is still developing a computerised Personnel System to provide
sickness absence data of the kind requested. Specific information on numbers of staff on long term sick leave could only be obtained
at disproportionate administrative cost and time.
RPA is committed to managing sickness absence effectively and to meeting internal performance targets for reducing sickness absence
for 2003-04.
RPA has developed a sickness absence management policy and procedures, that includes a revised strategy for managing long term
sickness absence, for implementation from June 2003.
RPA also acts responsibly to the legal obligation to provide a safe working environment for employees and is committed to meeting
targets for reducing the number of working days lost generally due to work related injuries and illness, arising from the
government's Revitalising Health and Safety initiative.
Subjects
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Government departments; Staff; Sick leave
Date
4 June 2003
Reference
115851; 406 c419-20W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many staff in her Department have taken time off from work in order to attend to domestic incidents as provided for by the Employment Relations Act 1999. - Inc figures and text of letters from Peter Greig-Smith...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many staff in her Department have taken time off from work in order to attend to domestic incidents as provided for by the Employment Relations Act 1999. - Inc figures and text of letters from Peter Greig-Smith...
Asked by
John Bercow
(Conservative)
Answered by
Alun Michael
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Answering body
Rural Payments Agency
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
7 April 2003
For answer on
30 April 2003
Answered on
30 April 2003
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many staff in her Department have taken time
off from work in order to attend to domestic incidents as provided for by the Employment Relations Act 1999. [108338]
Alun Michael: Defra has contractual arrangements in place which are generally more generous than those provided for by the Act. Such
arrangements apply to all staff irrespective of grade or working pattern and form part of Defra's wider commitment to have
arrangements in place which allow staff to create an appropriate work/ life balance. The Department does not keep a separate record
of the number of staff who have had time off work in order to attend to domestic incidents as provided for by the Employment
Relations Act 1999.
Letter from Peter Greig-Smith to Mr. John Bercow, dated April 2003:
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has asked me to reply on behalf of CEFAS to your question concerning
how many staff have taken time off from work in order to attend to domestic incidents as provided for by the Employment Relations
Act 1999.
The information is not collated centrally within the Agency and could only be collected at disproportionate cost from individual
personnel records.
The Secretary of State has also asked me to reply to your question regarding how many staff have used their leave entitlement under
the Parental Leave Directive.
There have been no requests for parental leave under the provisions of this Directive.
Letter from Johnston McNeill to Mr. John Bercow, dated 11 April 2003:
I have been asked to respond directly to your two recent Parliamentary Questions concerning the Employment Relations Act 1999 and
the Parental Leave Directive.
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many staff in her Department have taken time
off work in order to attend to domestic incidents as provided for by the Employment Relations Act 1999.
Reply: The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has policies in place which allow for special leave for staff to attend to domestic
incidents. Responsibility for authorising and monitoring such leave is devolved to individual management units and can only be
collated at disproportionate cost.
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many staff in her Department have used their
leave entitlement under the Parental Leave Directive.
Reply: The RPA is fully committed to helping employees achieve a better balance between home and work through family friendly
policies Accordingly, the RPA has policies in place to allow for Parental leave but the information required is not held centrally
and cannot be collected without incurring disproportionate cost.
Letter from Steven Edwards to Mr. John Bercow, dated April 2003:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question on how many staff in her Department have taken time off from work in
order to attend to domestic incidents as provided for by the Employment Relations Act 1999.
For the period 1/4/02 to 31/3/03 approval was given in 43 cases for staff to attend to domestic incidents. There were a further 13
cases of paternity leave which is also provided for by the Employment Relations Act 1999. (Figures for earlier years are not held.)
The VLA has contractual arrangements in place which are generally more generous than those provided for by the Act. Such
arrangements apply to all staff irrespective of Pay Band or working pattern and form part of the VLA's wider commitment to have
arrangements in place which allow staff to create an appropriate work/life balance.
Letter from Mike Roberts to Mr. John Bercow, dated April 2003:
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has asked me to reply, with respect to the Central Science
Laboratory, to your question concerning how many staff have taken time off work in order to attend to domestic incidents as provided
for by the Employment Relations Act 1999.
CSL offers both paid and unpaid special leave to staff faced with urgent domestic crises. No claims for unpaid leave have been
received since the introduction of this entitlement.
A number of applications have been made for paid special leave in these circumstances and the overwhelming majority have been
granted. However, the details of these claims for paid leave are not held centrally and the information could only be collected at
disproportionate cost.
Subjects
Conditions of employment; Civil servants; Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Government departments; Staff; Compassionate leave
Date
30 April 2003
Reference
108338; 404 c379-81W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many staff in her Department were on long term sick leave in each of the last five years. - Inc figures and text of letters from Johnston O'Neill of the Rural Payments Agency, Peter Greig-Smith of CEFAS,...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many staff in her Department were on long term sick leave in each of the last five years. - Inc figures and text of letters from Johnston O'Neill of the Rural Payments Agency, Peter Greig-Smith of CEFAS,...
Asked by
John Bercow
(Conservative)
Answered by
Alun Michael
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Answering body
Rural Payments Agency
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
10 April 2003
For answer on
30 April 2003
Answered on
30 April 2003
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many staff in her Department were on long term
sick leave in each of the last five years. [109260]
Alun Michael: There is no central definition of what constitutes long-term sickness absence, but this Department, as part of its
ongoing commitment to the effective management of sickness absence routinely records and monitors all sickness absence and
automatically refers cases to its Occupational Health Adviser when an absence has reached 90 days.
Defra was created in 2001 and the following figures reflect such referrals and cover staff in the core Department and Veterinary
Medicines Directorate and Pesticides Safety Directorate Agencies, for absences beginning in the years listed:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Year
2001 127
2002 107
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Responsibility for attendance matters within the Central Science Laboratory Agency, the Veterinary Laboratories Agency, the Rural
Payments Agency and the Centre for Environmental Fisheries and Aquaculture Science Agency has been delegated to Chief Executives and
they have been asked to reply direct on this issue.
Letter from Johnston McNeill to Mr. John Bercow, dated 15 April 2003:
I have been asked to respond directly to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning sick leave absence.
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many staff in her Department were on long term
sick leave in each of the last five years.
Information on the number of staff who were on long term sick leave in each of the last five years is not available for the Rural
Payments Agency. RPA is a relatively new organisation formed in October 2001. RPA is still developing a computerised Personnel
System to provide sickness absence data of the kind requested. Specific information on numbers of staff on long term sick leave
could only be obtained at disproportionate administrative cost and time, but the Agency refers cases to the Medical Adviser as
appropriate.
RPA is committed to managing sickness absence effectively and to meeting targets for reducing sickness absence as set out in the
Agency's Business Plan for 2003-04.
RPA has developed a sickness absence management policy and procedures, that includes a revised strategy for managing long term
sickness absence, for implementation from May 2003.
Letter from Peter Greig-Smith to Mr. J. Bercow, dated April 2003:
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has asked me to reply to your question regarding how many staff were
on long term sick leave in each of the last five years. I am replying on behalf of the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and
Aquaculture Science (CEFAS).
For CEFAS staff, a review point of 60 days (i.e. 2 months or more) is used to define long term absence. During the past five years,
the numbers of staff on long term absence were as follows:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Year
1998 2
1999 3
2000 10
2001 9
2002 7
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
CEFAS has successfully introduced a scheme for `Return to Workplace' interviews and is fully committed to managing attendance
effectively. We are on target for achieving the reduced levels of sickness absence we have set out for the Agency. Letter from
Professor Mike Roberts to Mr. John Bercow, dated 15 April 2003:
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has asked me to reply, with respect to the Central Science
Laboratory, to your question concerning how many staff were on long-term sick leave in each of the last five years.
CSL has no formal definition of what constitutes "long-term" sick leave but does automatically refer to Occupational Health all
staff who are absent for more than 90 days. Our records show that the numbers of staff on long-term sick leave (i.e. exceeding the
90-day absence referral point) were as follows:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Year
1998 2
1999 4
2000 3
2001 7
2002 7
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
CSL has been successful in managing sickness absence through innovations such as recruiting a dedicated Occupational Health
professional, running regular health awareness campaigns and carrying out all-staff health surveys. The organisation remains
committed to the continued effective management of sickness absence.
Letter from Steven Edwards to Mr. John Bercow, dated April 2003:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question on how many staff in her Department were on long-term sick leave in
each of the last five years.
There is no central definition of what constitutes long-term sick absence. VLA has adopted a pro-active stance to monitoring
attendance with earlier and speedier referrals to the Occupational Physician.
The following figures cover staff within VLA for absences beginning in the years listed:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Year
1998 10
1999 20
2000 20
2001 15
2002 20
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
VLA is committed to the effective management of sickness absence and to meeting sickness absence reduction targets.
Subjects
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Government departments; Staff; Sick leave
Date
30 April 2003
Reference
109260; 404 c383-5W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many staff in her Department have used their leave entitlement under the Parental Leave Directive. - Inc figures and text of letters from Peter Greig-Smith of CEFAS, Johnston O'Neill of the Rural Payments Agency, Steven Edwards of...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many staff in her Department have used their leave entitlement under the Parental Leave Directive. - Inc figures and text of letters from Peter Greig-Smith of CEFAS, Johnston O'Neill of the Rural Payments Agency, Steven Edwards of...
Asked by
John Bercow
(Conservative)
Answered by
Alun Michael
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Answering body
Rural Payments Agency
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
7 April 2003
For answer on
30 April 2003
Answered on
30 April 2003
Mr. Bercow:: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many staff in her Department have used their
leave entitlement under the Parental Leave Directive. [108358]
Alun Michael: Departmental figures for parental leave show that four people took leave in 2002 followed by a further two in 2003 to
date. Defra came into being in 2001 for which no figures are available.
The Department is committed to having arrangements in place which allow staff to create an appropriate work/life balance and the
unpaid parental leave entitlements sit alongside a range of alternative working patterns and contractual entitlements many of which
offer some form of paid absence. They are offered to staff irrespective of grade or working pattern.
Letter from Peter Greig-Smith to Mr. John Bercow, dated April 2003:
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has asked me to reply on behalf of CEFAS to your question concerning
how many staff have taken time off from work in order to attend to domestic incidents as provided for by the Employment Relations
Act 1999.
The Information is not collated centrally within the Agency and could only be collected at disproportionate cost from individual
personnel records.
The Secretary of State has also asked me to reply to your question regarding how many staff have used their leave entitlement under
the Parental Leave Directive.
There have been no requests for parental leave under the provisions of this Directive. Letter from Johnston McNeill to Mr. John
Bercow, dated 11 April 2003:
I have been asked to respond directly to your two recent Parliamentary Questions concerning the Employment Relations Act 1999 and
the Parental Leave Directive.
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many staff in her Department have taken time
off from work in order to attend to domestic incidents as provided for by the Employment Relations Act 1999.
Reply: The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has policies in place which allow for special leave for staff to attend to domestic
incidents. Responsibility for authorising and monitoring such leave is devolved to individual management units and can only be
collated at disproportionate cost.
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many staff in her Department have used their
leave entitlement under the Parental Leave Directive.
Reply: The RPA is fully committed to helping employees achieve a better balance between home and work through family friendly
policies Accordingly, the RPA has policies in place to allow for Parental leave but the information required is not held centrally
and cannot be collected without incurring disproportionate cost.
Letter from Steven Edwards to Mr. John Bercow, dated April 2003:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question on how many staff in her Department have used their leave entitlement
under the Parental Leave Directive.
There has been only limited take-up of this facility in the VLA. Figures for parental leave show that one person took leave in the
period 1/4/02 to 31/3/03. Figures for earlier years are not held.
TheVLA is committed to having arrangements in place which allow staff to create an appropriate work/life balance and the unpaid
parental leave entitlements sit alongside a range of alternative working patterns and contractual entitlements many of which offer
some form of paid absence. They are offered to staff irrespective of Pay Band or working pattern.
Letter from Professor Mike Roberts to Mr. John Bercow, dated April 2003:
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has asked me to reply, with respect to the Central Science
Laboratory, to your question concerning how many staff have used their leave entitlement under the Parental Leave Directive.
CSL allows staff to apply for unpaid Parental Leave. These claims are recorded centrally and records show that since the Parental
Leave rights were announced in 1999, a total of 12 requests for unpaid Parental Leave have been received and all have been granted.
The periods of leave range from 3 to 20 days.
CSL is committed to the continued use of family-friendly working practices and views Parental Leave as merely one aspect of an
organisational approach to flexible working that includes flexible working hours, part-time working, job-share, special leave,
annual leave, tackling `long hours' cultures, etc.
Subjects
Civil servants; Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Government departments; Parental leave; Staff
Date
30 April 2003
Reference
108358; 404 c382-3W
House
House of Commons
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. - Including figures and text of letters from Professor Mike Roberts of the Central Science Laboratory; Professor Steven Edwards of the Veterinary Laboratories Agency...
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. - Including figures and text of letters from Professor Mike Roberts of the Central Science Laboratory; Professor Steven Edwards of the Veterinary Laboratories Agency...
Asked by
John Bercow
(Conservative)
Answered by
Elliot Morley
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
24 June 2002
For answer on
10 July 2002
Answered on
10 July 2002
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. 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. 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. 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.
Subjects
Civil servants; Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Government departments; Holiday leave
Date
10 July 2002
Reference
64657; 388 c945-6W;388 c947-8W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many claims for work-related illness were settled by her Department in the last year for which records are available; and what the cost was in compensation. - Inc text of letters from Prof Steven Edwards of Veterinary...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many claims for work-related illness were settled by her Department in the last year for which records are available; and what the cost was in compensation. - Inc text of letters from Prof Steven Edwards of Veterinary...
Asked by
Michael Clapham
(Labour)
Answered by
Elliot Morley
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
8 May 2002
For answer on
21 May 2002
Answered on
21 May 2002
Mr. Clapham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many claims for work-related illness were
settled by her Department in the last year for which records are available; and what the cost was in compensation. [56078]
Mr. Morley: [holding answer 20 May 2002]: The most recent statistics available are for the year 2000 and relate to the former
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) and its agencies; the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
was not created until June 2001.
Records show that in the core Department, there was one case where compensation was awarded for work- related illness, at a cost of
£2,000. There were no cases in the Central Science Laboratory (CSL) and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture
Science (CEFAS) agencies. There was one case in the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA).
Letter from Prof. Steven Edwards to Mr. Michael Clapham, dated May 2002:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question on how many claims for work-related illness were settled by her
Department in the last year for which records are available; and what the cost was in compensation.
The VLA is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for staff, is proactive in monitoring procedures and
ensures that comprehensive advice and guidance is available to all staff and managers.
VLA is also committed to meeting targets for reducing the number of working days lost generally to work related injuries and illness
arising from the Government Revitalising Health and Safety initiative.
No claims for work-related illness were settled in 2000.
One claim for a work-related accident was settled in 2000. The total cost of this compensation case was £56,073.09--broken down as
follows:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
£
Settlement 30,000.00
Costs 26,000.00
Additional travel costs and interest 73.09
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Letter from Professor Mike Roberts to Mr. Michael Clapham, dated 21 May 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 how many claims for work-related illness were settled in the last year for which records are available,
and what the cost was in compensation.
There were no claims for work-related illness at CSL in the last year.
Subjects
Compensation; Costs; Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Government departments; Industrial diseases
Date
21 May 2002
Reference
56078; 386 c200-1W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment has been made of the effect of the Working Time Directive on her Department's employees; how many employees are working in excess of 48 hours per week; what steps she is taking to reduce this number;...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment has been made of the effect of the Working Time Directive on her Department's employees; how many employees are working in excess of 48 hours per week; what steps she is taking to reduce this number;...
Asked by
Vincent Cable
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Elliot Morley
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
7 February 2002
For answer on
8 March 2002
Answered on
8 March 2002
Dr. Cable: :To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment has been made of the effect of the
Working Time Directive on her Department's employees; how many employees are working in excess of 48 hours per week; what steps she
is taking to reduce this number; and if she will make a statement. [35897]
Subjects
Civil servants; Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; EU law; Government departments; Working hours
Date
8 March 2002
Reference
35897; 381 c638-9W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the Senior Civil Service, was in his Department for 2000-01. - Inc text of letters and figures from Steve Edwards of VLA, P.I. Stanley of CSL; and...
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the Senior Civil Service, was in his Department for 2000-01. - Inc text of letters and figures from Steve Edwards of VLA, P.I. Stanley of CSL; and...
Asked by
Lord Clark of Windermere
(Labour)
Answered by
Baroness Quin
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
5 March 2001
For answer on
23 April 2001
Answered on
23 April 2001
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the average percentage increase in salaries of
non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the Senior Civil Service, was in his Department for 2000-01. [152800]
Ms Quin: [holding answer 14 March 2001]: Since 1996 MAFF has had delegated authority for negotiating pay settlements. For the 2000
pay round, the core MAFF settlement included Pesticides Safety Directorate and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.
MAFF applied performance related awards in 2000-01 which linked pay awards to job performance on an individual basis. It is
therefore not possible to provide a single average percentage increase. Pay awards to satisfactory performers were within the range
of 3.2 per cent. and 11.75 per cent. The higher awards also included changes to the pay structure and additional payments to the
best performers. Unsatisfactory performers received no performance pay award.
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is also responsible for other Executive Agencies with their own negotiating remits.
I have asked Chief Executives to respond direct with information on their pay settlements.
Letter from Steve Edwards to Dr. David Clark, dated March 2001:
The Minister has asked me to respond to your question on the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil
servants, excluding members of the Senior Civil Service, in his Department for 2000-01.
Since 1996 VLA has had delegated authority for negotiating pay settlements for staff in the Agency excluding members of the Senior
Civil Service.
In 2000 the headline pay settlement was 2.5% of the pay bill. Together with the additional funds from staff turnover, staff received
performance related increases with an average cost of 4.3%. The increases were not staged. Information on the 2001 payment
settlement is not yet available because negotiations are still ongoing.
Letter from Professor P. I. Stanley to Dr. David Clark, dated March 2001:
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply, in respect of the Central Science Laboratory, to your
question concerning the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior
Civil Service, for 2000-01.
The headline pay settlement was 2.7% on the pay bill and, together with the additional funds from staff turnover, staff in post
received performance related increases averaging 4.76%.
Letter from Peter Greig-Smith to Dr. David Clark, dated March 2001:
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply to your question regarding the average percentage increase in
salaries of non-industrial Civil Servants, excluding members of the Senior Civil Service, for 2000-01. I am replying on behalf of
the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS).
The headline pay settlement for CEFAS was 2.82% on the pay bill and, together with the additional funds from staff turnover, staff
in post received performance-related increases averaging 4.03%.
Subjects
Civil servants; Government departments; Pay; Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Date
23 April 2001
Reference
367 c27-8W; 152800
House
House of Commons
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will list the veterinary investigation centres which were closed between 1980 and 1997. - Text of letter from Steve Edwards of Veterinary Laboratories Agency inc list. (Holding answer 27 March 2001).
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will list the veterinary investigation centres which were closed between 1980 and 1997. - Text of letter from Steve Edwards of Veterinary Laboratories Agency inc list. (Holding answer 27 March 2001).
Asked by
Lord Livsey of Talgarth
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Baroness Quin
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
21 March 2001
For answer on
30 March 2001
Answered on
30 March 2001
Mr. Livsey: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the veterinary investigation centres which were
closed between 1980 and 1997. [155602]
Ms Quin: [holding answer 27 March 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the letter from the Chief Executive of the Veterinary
Laboratories Agency which lists the number of closures between 1980 and 1997.
Letter from Steve Edwards to Mr. Richard Livsey, dated 30 March 2001:
The Minister has asked me to reply to your request for a list of Veterinary Investigation Centres (VICs) that were closed in each
year between 1980 and 1997.
The attached table lists the VICs that were closed between these dates as well as new ones opened.
In 1995 the VICs were renamed regional Laboratories (RLs) when they merged with the Central Veterinary Laboratory to become the
Veterinary Laboratories Agency.
Centres were closed and new ones opened as follows:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Centre Closed/opened
1980 --
Aberystwyth --
Bangor --
Barton Hall (Preston--moved from Liverpool)
Cambridge --
Cardiff --
Carmarthen --
Gloucester --
Langford (Bristol) --
Leeds --
Lincoln --
Moulton (Northampton) --
Newcastle --
Norwich --
Penrith --
Reading --
Shrewsbury --
Starcross (Exeter) --
Sutton Bonington (Loughborough) --
Thirsk --
Truro --
Weybridge --
Winchester --
Worcester --
Wye (Kent) --
Total 24
1981
Weybridge Closed
Total 23
1982
Chester (Sub centre of Shrewsbury) Opened
Total 24
1983-1985 --
Total 24
1986
Cardiff Closed
Chester Closed
Gloucester Closed
Leeds Closed
Moulton (Northampton) Closed
Total 19
1987-1990 --
Total 19
1991
Bangor Closed
Lincoln Closed
Wye (Kent) Closed
Total 16
1992 --
Total 16
1993
Cambridge Closed
Norwich Closed
Worcester Closed
Bury St. Edmunds Opened
Luddington (Stratford-upon-Avon) Opened
Total 15
1994
Reading Closed
Total 14
1995-2001
Aberystwyth --
Barton Hall (Preston) --
Bury St. Edmunds --
Camarthen --
Langford (Bristol) --
Luddington (Stratford-upon-Avon) --
Newcastle --
Penrith --
Shrewsbury --
Starcross (Exeter) --
Sutton Bonington (Loughborough) --
Thirsk --
Truro --
Winchester --
Total 14
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Subjects
Closures; Veterinary services; Veterinary Laboratories Agency; Veterinary investigation centres
Date
30 March 2001
Reference
155602; 365 c809-11W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what provisions are made available to (i) departmental staff and (ii) employees of executive agencies under the control of his Department, for (a) maternity leave, (b) maternity pay, (c) paternity leave, (d) parental leave, (e) flexible working hours, (f) part-time work,...
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what provisions are made available to (i) departmental staff and (ii) employees of executive agencies under the control of his Department, for (a) maternity leave, (b) maternity pay, (c) paternity leave, (d) parental leave, (e) flexible working hours, (f) part-time work,...
Asked by
Caroline Flint
(Labour)
Answered by
Elliot Morley
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
2 February 2000
For answer on
21 February 2000
Answered on
21 February 2000
Caroline Flint: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what provisions are made available to (i) departmental staff
and (ii) employees of executive agencies under the control of his Department, for (a) maternity leave, (b) maternity pay, (c)
paternity leave, (d) parental leave, (e) flexible working hours, (f) part-time work, (g) job sharing, (h) leave to care for sick
children, (i) home-working, (j) term-time contracts, (k) annual hours contract, (l) child care allowances, (m) careers' leave and
(n) career break schemes; and what criteria are used to judge eligibility in each case. [108848]
Mr. Morley: My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office, set out in his reply of 15 February 2000, Official Report,
columns 518-20W, the importance of family friendly policies to the Civil Service Reform programme. MAFF shares this commitment to
develop policies to enable staff to achieve a better balance between their work and private lives. Provisions already exist in core
MAFF for flexible working practices and patterns and we will be building on these in taking forward work on diversity. These
provisions are set out in a Staff Handbook to which all employees in the Department have easy access. They apply to both full-time
and part-time staff. Requests are generally considered in accordance with these provisions. Where there is discretion, requests are
dealt with on their merits on an individual basis. The maternity and paternity arrangements are provided in conjunction with the
statutory entitlements available to employees, as are the arrangements for time off to care for dependents. I will write to my hon.
Friend with fuller details of the provisions available.
In respect of MAFF Agencies, responsibility for such matters is delegated to Agency Chief Executives. Similar policies to core MAFF
operate in the Farm and Rural Conservation Agency, the Pesticides Safety Directorate and Veterinary Medicines Directorate. I have
asked the Chief Executives of the Central Science Laboratory, Veterinary Laboratory, Meat Hygiene Service and the Centre for
Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science Agencies to reply to my hon. Friend Direct.
Letter from Peter Stanley to Caroline Flint, dated 21 February 2000:
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply, in respect of the Central Science Laboratory (CSL), to your
question concerning maternity and paternity provisions and other family friendly policies.
With the exception of the maternity leave provision, CSL presently follow the existing MAFF provisions for flexible working
practices and patterns which are set out in the MAFF Staff Handbook. On 1 August 1999, paid maternity leave within CSL was increased
to 16 weeks at full pay.
Letter from T. W. A. Little to Caroline Flint, dated 21 February 2000:
The Minister has asked me to responde to your questions on provisions available to employees of the Veterinary Laboratories Agency
and the proportion of women returning to work after maternity leave.
In responding to these questions the Cabinet Office have indicated that the Civil Service as a whole is striving for an improved
balance between work and family life. This is reflected in several aspects of the Report on Civil Service Reform by Sir Richard
Wilson to the Prime Minister.
The availability of the provisions you mention are set out in the MAFF Staff Handbook to which all employees in this Agency have
access. They apply to both full-time and part-time staff. A VLA Staff Handbook is to be completed and issued to staff shortly.
Maternity arrangements are provided in conjunction with the statutory entitlements available. Where provisions in this Agency differ
from those in MAFF, information is readily available, for example, on the holiday playscheme.
The proportion of women returning to work after childbirth over the last five years is given in the table below:
Percentage
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
1995 1996 1997 1998 {1}1999
Total returned to work 67 74 61 70 86
Returned to part-time work 42 49 22 40 72
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
{1} The figures for 1999 do not represent a full response as not all women have returned from maternity leave
A significant proportion of women elect to take a Career Break of up to five years rather than return to work directly after
maternity leave.
Further information requested could not be readily provided and would incur disproportionate costs to obtain.
Letter from Johnston McNeill to Caroline Flint, dated 21 February 2000:
As Chief Executive of the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) your question to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food requesting
information regarding the provision of various benefits to staff has been passed to me to reply as regards this Executive Agency.
MHS provisions and eligibility criteria with regard to these benefits are outlined below:
(i) Maternity Leave
Main provisions--Paid time off for ante-natal care regardless of service. 18 weeks maternity leave if service less than 1 year and a
further 29 weeks after confinement if service more than 1 year. Eligibility criteria--As indicated above.
(ii) Maternity Pay
Main provisions--As per statutory scheme i.e. Maternity Allowances (MA) or Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) applies. For employees who
qualify for SMP the first 6 weeks of maternity leave is at 9/10ths of pay. Subsequent 12 weeks at 1/2 pay (subject to return to
work for more than 3 months following maternity leave) plus SMP. Eligibility criteria--As per statutory scheme.
(iii) Paternity Leave
Main provisions--Paternity/Maternity Support Leave of 5 days with pay granted to father, partner or nominated carer. Eligibility
criteria--Available to all employees.
(iv) Parental Leave
Main provisions--As per statutory provisions. MHS policy is this area currently under review. Requests of paid/unpaid leave
currently considered under the MHS Special Leave policy provisions. Eligibility criteria--As per statutory provisions and individual
needs.
(v) Flexible Working Hours
Main provisions--A formal flexitime scheme does not exist but some MHS Departments do operate flexitime and where not in place
flexibility is exercised where operational service requirements allow. Eligibility criteria--Not appropriate as no formal scheme in
place.
(vi) Part-time Work
Main provisions--All applications considered with regard to operational service requirements. Terms and conditions applied pro-rata
to those of full-time employees. Eligibility criteria--Suitability of proposed part-time work pattern in relation to operational
service requirements.
(vii) Job Sharing
Main provisions--All applications considered with regard to operational service requirements. Terms and conditions applied equally
between job-sharers. Eligibility criteria--Suitability of proposed job share assessed with regard to whole job and operational
service requirements.
(viii) Leave to Care for Sick Children
Main provisions--All applications considered with regard to individual needs and operational service requirements. Paid/unpaid time
off work available under the MHS Special Leave policy provisions. Eligibility criteria--Each case carefully considered on merit, and
with regard to statutory entitlements and individual needs.
(ix) Home Working
Main provisions--Applies to certain groups of management employees who have been authorised to work from home for operational
reasons. Eligibility criteria--Employees only eligible to work from home when specifically authorised to do so by the MHS and only
designated as home workers with the approval of the Inland Revenue.
(x) Term Time Contracts
Main provisions--Term time contracts not in operation within the MHS. Requests for paid/unpaid leave considered under the MHS
Special Leave policy provisions. Eligibility criteria--Each case carefully considered on merit, and with regard to statutory
entitlements and individual needs.
(xi) Annual Hours Contracts
Main Provisions--MHS Annualised Hours policy applies where the workload fluctuates and/or job requirements are seasonal. Eligibility
criteria--Employees are contracted to work annualised hours only where significant variations in the work pattern are anticipated.
(xii) Child Care Allowances
Main Provisions--Some MHS employees utilise MAFF child-care facilities. No child-care allowances are paid. Eligibility
criteria--Available to all MHS employees but child-care places very limited.
(xiii) Careers' Leave
Main provisions--The MHS does not have a formal policy in this area, although special extended leave has been granted in some cases
to facilitate career development. Eligibility criteria--Each case carefully considered on merit, and with regard to operational
service requirements and individual/organisational benefits arising.
(xiv) Career Break Schemes
Main provisions--The MHS does not have a formal policy in this area. Eligibility criteria--Not applicable.
Letter from P. W. Greig-Smith to Caroline Flint, dated 21 February 2000:
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply to your question regarding provision of various benefits to
staff. I am replying on behalf of the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS).
With regard to maternity leave and maternity pay, CEFAS provides 16 weeks leave with pay, one week more than core MAFF. Eligibility
for these benefits is the same as core MAFF.
For paternity leave, parental leave, flexible working hours, part-time work, job sharing, leave to care for sick children, home
working, term-time contracts, annual hours contracts, child care allowances, careers' leave and career break schemes, CEFAS'
allowances are exactly the same as those of core MAFF. Eligibility is the same as core MAFF.
Subjects
Conditions of employment; Government departments; Parental leave; Pay; Paternity leave; Maternity leave; Working hours; Flexitime; Job sharing; Career breaks; Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Date
21 February 2000
Reference
344 c748-51W;344 c747-51W; 108848
House
House of Commons
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many bovine samples were sent from each country outside the United Kingdom to Weybridge Veterinary Laboratory since 1980; and what was the number of the samples from each country that were diagnosed with BSE in that period. - Including text...
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many bovine samples were sent from each country outside the United Kingdom to Weybridge Veterinary Laboratory since 1980; and what was the number of the samples from each country that were diagnosed with BSE in that period. - Including text...
Asked by
Tim Yeo
(Conservative)
Answered by
Nicholas Brown
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
19 January 2000
For answer on
28 January 2000
Answered on
28 January 2000
Mr. Yeo: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many bovine samples were sent from each country outside the
United Kingdom to Weybridge Veterinary Laboratory since 1980; and what was the number of the samples from each country that were
diagnosed with BSE in that period. [106323]
Mr. Nick Brown: [holding answer 24 January 2000]:
The subject of the question relates to matters undertaken by the Veterinary Laboratories Agency. I have asked its Chief Executive,
Mr. T. Little, to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from T. W. A. Little to Mr. Tim Yeo, dated 28 January 2000:
The Minister has asked me to respond to your question about bovine samples sent to the Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Weybridge
since 1980 and the number of these samples diagnosed with BSE.
The VLA has, over a considerable period of time, provided Reference Laboratory facilities for the diagnosis of certain animal
diseases and in this general context will have received bovine brain samples from countries outside the UK for a wide range of
diagnostic purposes. In the more specific context of the diagnosis of BSE, no bovine samples would have been received from other
countries for this purpose before the recognition of the disease in Britain in 1986. Since 1986 such bovine samples, in the form of
brain tissue for either histopathological or electron microscopic examination, have been received from a number of countries. The
quantitative information requested could only be provided at disproportionate cost, as it is contained only in paper case records in
different sections of the Pathology Department of the VLA.
Such submissions have almost invariably been framed as requests from other countries for the diagnostic examination of material from
their initial suspect cases of BSE. Because the VLA has provided training in the diagnosis of BSE for veterinary pathologists in
many countries, requests for the examination of bovine samples of BSE have been confirmed at most to the initial few cases
experienced in the country, with subsequent diagnosis being conducted by the countries own veterinary pathologists. Also,
consultations on such material from other countries will not have been restricted to bovine samples sent to the VLA since opinions
will have been sought from VLA veterinary pathologists and scientists whilst visiting other countries.
Subjects
Cattle; Diagnosis; Diseases; Disease control; BSE; Veterinary Laboratories Agency; Central Veterinary Laboratory
Date
28 January 2000
Reference
343 c384-5W; 106323
House
House of Commons
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many people in his Department and its associated bodies and agencies have benefited from the introduction of a national minimum wage. - Inc figures and text of letter from Dr J M Rutter, Chief Executive of Veterinary Medicines Directive; Text...
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many people in his Department and its associated bodies and agencies have benefited from the introduction of a national minimum wage. - Inc figures and text of letter from Dr J M Rutter, Chief Executive of Veterinary Medicines Directive; Text...
Asked by
Lord Rowlands
(Labour)
Answered by
Elliot Morley
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
26 May 1999
For answer on
14 June 1999
Answered on
14 June 1999
Mr. Rowlands: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many people in his Department and its associated bodies and
agencies have benefited from the introduction of a national minimum wage. [86095]
Mr. Morley: The introduction of a national minimum wage on 1 April 1999, benefited 569 permanent and 263 casual staff in clerical,
typing and support grades in my Department. I have asked Chief Executives of my Department's agencies to reply separately with
information on their staff.
Letter from Dr. J. M. Rutter to Mr. Ted Rowlands, dated 14 June 1999:
The Minister has asked me to reply to your question asking how many people employed in the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD)
have benefited from the introduction of the national minimum wage.
All staff at the VMD were paid above the national minimum wage on 1 April 1999 and its introduction had no effect.
Letter from Professor P. I. Stanley to Mr. Ted Rowlands, dated 14 June 1999:
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply, in respect of the Central Science Laboratory, to your
question concerning the number of staff within the Agency who benefited from the introduction of the national minimum wage on 1
April 1999.
I can confirm that one member of staff in CSL benefited from the introduction of the national minimum wage.
Letter from Johnston McNeill to Mr. Ted Rowlands, dated 14 June 1999:
As Chief Executive of the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) your question to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food requesting
information on the number of people who benefited from the introduction of a national minimum wage has been passed to me for reply
as regards this Executive Agency.
All MHS staff were on salaries above the national minimum wage prior to its introduction on 1 April 1999. No MHS staff therefore
benefited from its introduction. Letter from P. W. Greig-Smith to Mr. Ted Rowlands, dated 14 June 1999:
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply to your question on the benefits to staff of the introduction
of the national minimum wage. I am replying on behalf of the Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (CEFAS).
I can advise you that seven Administrative Assistants benefited from the national minimum wage introduction.
Letter from T. W. A. Little to Mr. Ted Rowlands, dated 14 June 1999:
The Minister has asked me to respond to your question about how many people in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and
its associated bodies and agencies have benefited from the introduction of a national minimum wage.
All staff in the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) were in receipt of a full-time equivalent salary higher than the National
Minimum Wage (NMW) before it was introduced. There were, therefore, no staff who benefited from the introduction of NMW at VLA.
Letter from Sarah Nason to Mr. Ted Rowlands, dated 14 June 1999:
The Minister has asked me to respond, in respect of the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency (FRCA), to your question about the
number of people in his Department and its associated bodies and agencies who have benefited from the introduction of a national
minimum wage.
The introduction of a national minimum wage on 1 April 1999 benefited one member of staff (a sandwich course student) in FRCA.
Letter from G. K. Bruce to Mr. Ted Rowlands, dated 14 June 1999:
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply, in respect of the Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD), to
your question concerning the number of staff within the Agency who benefited from the introduction of the National Minimum Wage on 1
April 1999.
I can confirm that 22 staff in PSD benefited from the introduction of the National Minimum Wage.
Subjects
Executive agencies; Government departments; Minimum wage; Non-departmental public bodies; Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Date
14 June 1999
Reference
86095; 333 c23-4W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many staff who have worked as professional statisticians in his Department have left on early retirement in each of the past 10 years. - Includes table, figures and text of letters from respective agencies.
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many staff who have worked as professional statisticians in his Department have left on early retirement in each of the past 10 years. - Includes table, figures and text of letters from respective agencies.
Asked by
Lord Campbell of Pittenweem
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Elliot Morley
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
14 April 1999
For answer on
28 April 1999
Answered on
28 April 1999
Mr. Menzies Campbell: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many staff who have worked as professional
statisticians in his Department have left on early retirement in each of the past 10 years. [81178]
Mr. Morley: The number of professional statisticians who left on early retirement (including on medical grounds) from my Department
in each of the past 10 years was as follows:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Year Number
1989 0
1990 0
1991 0
1992 0
1993 1
1994 0
1995 2
1996 0
1997 0
1998 0
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
I have asked Chief Executives to reply separately.
Letter from Dr. J. M. Rutter to Mr. Menzies Campbell, dated 28 April 1999:
The Minister has asked me to reply to your question about how many staff who have worked as professional statisticians at the
Veterinary Medicines Directorate have left on early retirement terms in each of the past 10 years. This is an operational matter for
which I am responsible.
There were no such retirements for these staff in each of the past 10 years.
Letter from P. W. Greig-Smith to Mr. Menzies Campbell, dated 28 April 1999:
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply to your question on professional statisticians who have left
on early retirement in each of the last ten years. I am replying on behalf of the Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture
Science (CEFAS), which, prior to April 1997, was the MAFF Directorate of Fisheries Research (DFR).
I can advise you that no professional statisticians have left DFR/CEFAS on early retirement during the period 1989 to 1998.
Letter from Johnston McNeill to Mr. Menzies Campbell, dated 28 April 1999:
As Chief Executive of the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) your question to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food requesting
information on the number of staff who have worked as professional statisticians who have left on early retirement in each of the
past ten years, has been passed to me to reply as regards this Executive Agency.
The MHS is responsible for enforcing meat hygiene, inspection, animal welfare and Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) legislation
in licensed fresh meat premises in Great Britain. The majority of MHS staff are veterinary surgeons or Meat Hygiene Inspectors. The
MHS does not have any professional statisticians in its employment.
Letter from T. W. A. Little to Mr. Menzies Campbell, dated 28 April 1999:
The Minister has asked me to respond to your question about staff who have worked as professional statisticians in MAFF and have
left on early retirement in each of the past ten years.
No professional statisticians have worked at the VLA and took early retirement in the past ten years.
Letter from P. I. Stanley to Mr. Menzies Campbell, dated 28 April 1999:
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply, in respect of the Central Science Laboratory (CSL), to your
questions concerning professional statisticians.
CSL was established as an Executive Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) in April 1992. Since that time
there have been no professional statisticians who have left the Agency on early retirement grounds.
CSL presently employs one member of staff as a professional statistician, graded at CSL Level 3 (SEO equivalent). This person has
not been granted chartered statistician status by the Royal Statistical Society and has not been accepted as fast stream by the
Civil Service Selection Board.
Letter from Sarah Nason to Mr. Menzies Campbell, dated 28 April 1999:
The Minister has asked me to respond, in respect of the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency (FRCA), to your question about the
number of staff who have worked as professional statisticians in his Department who have left on early retirement in the past ten
years.
FRCA was created as an Executive Agency on 1 April 1997: to date no professional statisticians have been employed by the Agency.
Letter from J. A. Bainton to Mr. Menzies Campbell, dated 28 April 1999:
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply, in respect of the Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD), to
your question concerning the employment of professional statisticians.
Since PSD was formed in 1993, no professional statisticians have been employed in the Agency.
Subjects
Civil servants; Government departments; Early retirement; Statistics; Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Date
28 April 1999
Reference
81178; 330 c203-5W;330 c205-7W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many civil servants in his Department have been invited to waive the Working Time Directive requirement to work less than 48 hours a week on 17 consecutive weeks; how many civil servants in his Department have refused to waive the...
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many civil servants in his Department have been invited to waive the Working Time Directive requirement to work less than 48 hours a week on 17 consecutive weeks; how many civil servants in his Department have refused to waive the...
Asked by
Lord Tyrie
(Conservative)
Answered by
Elliot Morley
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
10 March 1999
For answer on
26 March 1999
Answered on
26 March 1999
Mr. Tyrie: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many civil servants in his Department have been invited to
waive the Working Time Directive requirement to work less than 48 hours a week on 17 consecutive weeks; how many civil servants in
his Department have refused to waive the requirement; and what is the total cost of compliance with the Directive. [76815]
Mr. Morley: As a general rule, the core-Department, the Pesticides Safety Directorate and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate have
agreed that staff will not be asked to work more than 48 hours per week over a 17 week reference period. Where any potential
breaches of the Regulations are identified, managers have first been asked to determine whether it is feasible to reduce hours,
adjust working patterns or re-design the job and only then to discuss the option of disapplying the 48 hour limit with staff.
Compliance costs are not separately identifiable as they have been absorbed within existing budgets.
Responsibility for the implementation of the Working Time Regulations 1998 within the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency, the
Central Science Laboratory Agency, the Veterinary Laboratories Agency, the Meat Hygiene Service Agency and the Centre for
Environmental Fisheries and Aquaculture Agency rests with Agency Chief Executives and I have asked them to reply to the hon. Member
direct.
Letter from P. W. Greig-Smith to Mr. Andrew Tyrie, dated 26 March 1999:
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply to your question regarding the Working Time Directive. I am
replying on behalf of the Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (CEFAS).
We have a nil return.
Letter from Johnston McNeill to Mr. Andrew Tyrie, dated 26 March 1999:
As Chief Executive of the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) your question to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food enquiring how
many civil servants have been invited to waive the Working Time Directive to work less than 48 hours a week on 17 consecutive weeks;
how many civil servants have refused to waive the requirement and what is the total cost of compliance with the Directive, has been
passed to me to reply as regards this Executive Agency.
The MHS is currently engaged in on-going discussions with UNISON (the union representing meat inspection staff) regarding the
implementation of the terms of the Working Time Regulations. A joint MHS/UNISON groups is working towards a collective agreement on
the parts of the regulations which are negotiable. This will include an opt-out agreement relating to the `48 hour limit'. I regret
that I am unable to provide you with the information you request at this stage. I will forward this information to you as soon as an
agreement has been reached.
Letter from T. W. A. Little to Mr. Andrew Tyrie, dated 26 March 1999:
The Minister has asked me to respond to your question about the Working Time Directive.
As a general rule VLA has agreed that staff will not be asked to work more than 48 hours per week over a 17 week reference period.
Where any potential breaches of the Regulations are identified managers have been asked to determine whether it is feasible to
reduce hours, adjust working patterns or re-design the job and only then to discuss the option of disapplying the 48 hour limit with
staff. We are currently in the process of surveying staff and no individual agreements have yet been signed. Any compliance costs
will not be separately identified as they will be absorbed within existing budgets.
Letter from Professor P. I. Stanley to Mr. Andrew Tyrie, dated 26 March 1999:
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply, in respect of the Central Science Laboratory (CSL), to your
question concerning the Working Time Directive.
As a matter of policy, CSL has agreed that staff will not be asked to work more than 48 hours per week over a 17 weeks reference
period. No potential breaches of the Regulations have been identified, but should this arise managers have been asked to reorganise
the workload.
The costs of complying with the Regulations are not separately identifiable as they have been absorbed within existing budgets.
Letter from Sarah Nason to Mr. Andrew Tyrie, dated 26 March 1999:
The Minister has asked me to reply, in respect of the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency (FRCA), to your question seeking the
number of civil servants in his Department invited to waive the Working Time Directive requirement to work less than 48 hours a week
on 17 consecutive weeks; how many of them have refused to waive the requirement; and what the total cost is of compliance with the
Directive.
The FRCA Management Board has agreed that, as a general rule, staff will not be asked to work more than 48 hours per week over a 17
week reference period. Where any potential breaches of the Regulations are identified, managers are being asked to determine whether
it is feasible to reduce hours or adjust working patterns before discussing the option of disapplying the 48 hour limit with staff.
To date, no individual agreements have been signed and no civil servants have refused to waive the requirement. Any compliance costs
are not separately identifiable and have been absorbed within existing budgets.
Subjects
Costs; Civil servants; EU law; Government departments; Working hours; Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Date
26 March 1999
Reference
76815; 328 c452-3W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will list the total number of staff (a) in his Department and (b) in each of the agencies for which he is responsible and their location in (i) London, (ii) Wales, (iii) Scotland and (iv) each of the English...
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will list the total number of staff (a) in his Department and (b) in each of the agencies for which he is responsible and their location in (i) London, (ii) Wales, (iii) Scotland and (iv) each of the English...
Asked by
David Chaytor
(Labour)
Answered by
Elliot Morley
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
8 February 1999
For answer on
24 February 1999
Answered on
24 February 1999
Mr. Chaytor: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the total number of staff (a) in his Department
and (b) in each of the agencies for which he is responsible and their location in (i) London, (ii) Wales, (iii) Scotland and (iv)
each of the English regions. [70484]
Mr. Morley: [holding answer 15 February 1999]:
Information on numbers of staff in my Department and their regional distribution is contained in the Cabinet Office publication
"Civil Service Statistics 1998", which is placed in the Library of the House. Civil Service Statistics also contain staffing figures
for each of my Department's agencies but does not have information on the regional distribution of their staff so I have asked
Agency Chief Executives to reply separately on this.
Letter from Johnston McNeill to Mr. David Chaytor, dated 23 February 1999:
As Chief Executive of the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) your question to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food requesting a
list of the total staff and their locations in (i) London, (ii) Wales, (iii) Scotland and (iv) each of the English Regions has been
passed to me to reply as regards this Executive Agency.
The MHS is not able to provide information on staffing numbers which correlate to the Regions you have requested. MHS Regions were
set up on a geographical basis depending on the location of licensed fresh meat premises at which the Agency is required to provide
an inspection service. The Regions are North, Central, South and East, South and West, Wales and Scotland. Total MHS staff based in
these Regions are as follows:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Region Total staff
North 472
Central 316
South and East 268
South and West 243
Wales 250
Scotland 193
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
MHS Headquarters staff are included in the Northern Region data. For operational reasons, the MHS includes some part of Cumbria in
its Scotland Region and parts of Herefordshire and Shropshire in its Wales Region.
Letter from G. K. Bruce to Mr. David Chaytor, dated 11 February 1999:
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply, in respect of the Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD), to
your question concerning the location of staff in this Agency.
There are currently 199 staff in the Agency all of whom are based in the Yorkshire and Humberside region.
Letter from P. I. Stanley to Mr. David Chaytor, dated 23 February 1999:
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply, in respect of the Central Science Laboratory (CSL), to your
question concerning the number of staff employed and their location.
CSL employs a total of 565 staff. Details of the locations at which the staff are based are given below.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Region Number of staff
Wales 1
South East 5
South West 8
West Midlands 2
North West 1
North East 1
Yorkshire and Humberside 425
East Midlands 1
Eastern 121
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
These figures exclude casual staff and seasonal employees.
Letter from P. W. Greig-Smith to Mr. David Chaytor, dated 23 February 1999:
The Minister has asked me to reply to your question concerning the total number of staff in his Department, and their location. I am
replying on behalf of the Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (CEFAS).
The following table gives the regional distribution of CEFAS staff as at 10 February 1999:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Permanent staff Non-industrial Industrial
South East 61 5
South West 62 1
North West 3 0
Eastern 272 31
Wales 15 5
Totals 413 42
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Letter from T. W. A. Little to Mr. David Chaytor, dated 23 February 1999:
The Minister has asked me to reply to your question on the total number of staff employed by the Veterinary Laboratories Agency.
Figures are as follows:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Number of staff
England
Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk 28
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire 2
Langford, North Somerset 22
Luddington, Warwickshire 35
Newcastle, Tyne & Wear 23
Penrith, Cumbria 22
Preston, Lancashire 25
Shrewsbury, Shropshire 31
Starcross, Devon 27
Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire 36
Thirsk, North Yorkshire 28
Truro, Cornwall 9
Winchester, Hampshire 28
Weybridge, Surrey 736
Total number of staff in England 1,052
Scotland
Lasswade, Midlothian 27
Total number of staff in Scotland 27
Wales
Aberystwyth, Dyfed 10
Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire 19
Total number of staff in Wales 29
Total number of staff employed by VLA 1,108
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Letter from Sarah Nason to Mr. David Chaytor, dated 11 February 1999:
The Minister has asked me to reply, in respect of the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency (FRCA), to your question seeking the
distribution of staff in London, Wales, Scotland and each of the English regions. The information, for permanent staff on a full
time equivalent basis, is as follows:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Number of permanent staff
London 22
South East 62
Total London and SE 84
South West 94.5
West Midlands 62.5
North West 13.5
North East 11
Merseyside 0
Yorkshire and Humberside 60
East Midlands 8
Eastern 64.5
Wales 45.5
Scotland 0
Northern Ireland 0
Unreported/elsewhere 0
Total 443.5
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Letter from J. M. Rutter to Mr. David Chaytor, dated 12 February 1999:
The Minister has asked me to reply to your question about the regional distribution of staff employed in the Veterinary Medicines
Directorate as these figures are not held centrally.
The Cabinet Office publication "Civil Service Statistics 1998" shows that the VMD employs 110 staff. 109 staff are located at
Addlestone (South-East Region) and 1 member of staff is located at Carlisle (North-West Region).
Subjects
Executive agencies; Civil servants; Government departments; Location; Staff; Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Date
24 February 1999
Reference
70484; 326 c334-6W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior civil service, in his Department for 1998-99; and to what extent the pay awards were staged. - Inc figs and texts of letters from...
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what was the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior civil service, in his Department for 1998-99; and to what extent the pay awards were staged. - Inc figs and texts of letters from...
Asked by
Lord Clark of Windermere
(Labour)
Answered by
Elliot Morley
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
2 February 1999
For answer on
11 February 1999
Answered on
11 February 1999
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the average percentage increase in salaries of
non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior civil service, in his Department for 1998-99; and to what extent the
pay awards were staged. [69522]
Mr. Morley: [holding answer 9 February 1999]: Since 1996 MAFF has had delegated authority for negotiating pay settlements. For the
last pay round the core MAFF settlement included Pesticides Safety Division and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.
The headline pay settlement was 2.7 per cent. on the paybill. Together with the additional funds from staff turnover this settlement
allowed performance related increases with an overall cost of 4.2 per cent. and one-off structural changes worth 0.5 per cent. of
the paybill.
Pay awards were not staged.
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and food is also responsible for other Executive Agencies with their own negotiating remits.
I have asked their Chief Executives to respond direct with information on their pay settlements.
Letter from Peter Stanley to Dr. David Clark, dated 11 February 1999:
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply, in respect of the Central Science Laboratory (CSL), to your
question concerning the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants and to what extent the pay awards
were staged.
Since 1996 CSL has had delegated authority for negotiating pay settlements.
CSL operates a performance related pay system which links pay awards to job performance. It is therefore not possible to provide a
single average figure which is meaningful. For 1998/99, pay increases for satisfactory performers ranged from 3.5% to 5.4% with a
few exceptional performers receiving an additional accelerated pay progression of 6%. For some unsatisfactory performers, no pay
increase was received.
Pay awards were not staged, being paid in full with effect from 1 August 1998. Letter from P. W. Greig-Smith to Mr. David Clark,
dated 11 February 1999:
The Minister has asked me to reply to your question on the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial Civil Servants,
excluding members of the Senior Civil Service, in his Department for 1998-99 and to what extent the pay awards were staged. I am
replying on behalf of the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS).
CEFAS operates a performance-related pay system which links pay awards to job performance. It is therefore not possible to provide a
single average figure that is meaningful. For 1998/99 the performance pay increases of satisfactory performers ranged from 2.39% to
7.21% with an underpinning minimum increase of 3.00% or £400, whichever was greater. Unsatisfactory performers received no increase.
The average 1998/99 pay increase for non-industrials at CEFAS was 4.08%. Payments were not staged, being paid in full with December
salaries.
Letter from Sarah Nason to Dr. David Clark, dated 8 February 1999:
Mr. Elliot Morley has asked me to reply, in respect of the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency (FRCA), to your question about the
average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior civil service in 1998/99,
and to what extent the pay awards were staged.
FRCA has had delegated authority for negotiating pay settlements since the Agency's launch in April 1997. Payment date within the
Agency is 1 August each year. The headline pay settlement for 1998/99 was 2.0% on the paybill and together with the additional funds
from staff turnover, staff in post received performance related increases averaging 4.0%. The increases were not staged.
Letter from T. W. A. Little to Dr. David Clark, dated 11 February 1999:
The Minister has asked me to reply to your question on the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants,
excluding members of the senior civil service, in his Department for 1998-99 and to what extent the pay awards were staged.
Since 1996 the VLA has had delegated authority for negotiating pay settlements.
The Agency operates a performance related pay system which links pay awards to job performance.
For 1998/99 the pay increases for satisfactory performers ranged from 3.5% to 5.5% with a guaranteed cash increase of £400 per
annum. Unsatisfactory performers received no pay increase.
The average value of the pay increases, including some other improvements to terms and conditions for VLA staff, was 4%.
The pay increases were not staged, being paid in full with August 1998 salaries.
Letter from Johnston McNeill to Dr. David Clark, dated 11 February 1999:
As Chief Executive of the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) your question to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food enquiring what
the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial Civil Servants, excluding members of the Senior Civil Service for
1998/99, and to what extent the pay awards were staged, has been passe to me to reply as regards this Executive Agency.
The MHS is continuing to discuss its 1998/99 pay deal with UNISON, the trade union which represents meat inspection staff. If the
proposed pay deal tabled by the MHS were to be agreed, awards in the MHS would range from 3.65% to 8.4%. The average award would
slightly above 3.65%.
The pay award would not be staged.
Subjects
Civil servants; Government departments; Increases; Pay; Pay settlements; Meat Hygiene Service; Central Science Laboratory; Farming and Rural Conservation Agency; Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science; Veterinary Laboratories Agency; Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Date
11 February 1999
Reference
69522; 325 c417-8W;325 c418-9W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, which of his Department's agencies have procedures to identify persistent enquirers for information. - Inc text of letters from agencies.
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, which of his Department's agencies have procedures to identify persistent enquirers for information. - Inc text of letters from agencies.
Asked by
Adrian Sanders
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Elliot Morley
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
For answer on
22 October 1998
Answered on
22 October 1998
Mr. Sanders: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which of his Department's agencies have procedures to identify
persistent inquirers for information. [53949]
Mr. Morley: The Department's Executive Agencies are the responsibility of their Chief Executives. I have asked them to reply to the
hon. Member direct.
Letter from G. K. Bruce to Mr. Adrian Sanders, dated 22 October 1998:
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply to your question about procedures to identify persistent
enquirers for information.
The Pesticides Safety Directorate aims to respond helpfully to all enquirers for information and has no procedures in place to
identify persistent enquirers. Letter from P. I. Stanley to Mr. Adrian Sanders, dated 22 October 1998:
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply, in respect of the Central Science Laboratory (CSL), to your
question concerning procedures to identify persistent enquiries for information.
Requests for information under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information are routinely monitored, but it has not been
found necessary to introduce specific procedures to identify persistent enquiries.
Letter from Dr. J. M. Rutter to Mr. Adrian Sanders, dated 8 October 1998:
The Minister has asked me to reply to your question about which of his Department's agencies have procedures to identify persistent
enquirers for information.
Although the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) monitors all requests for information under the Code of Practice on Access to
Government Information, it has not been found necessary to introduce specific procedures for persistent inquirers. The VMD follows
the guidance on interpretation of the Code issued by the Office of Public Service.
Letter from Johnston McNeill to Mr. Adrian Sanders, dated 22 October 1998:
As Chief Executive of the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS), your question to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food enquiring
whether agencies have procedures to identify persistent enquirers for information has been passed to me to respond on behalf of this
Executive Agency.
The MHS receives many requests for information from various sources and aims to respond helpfully to all such requests. The Agency
does not have any formal procedures to identify persistent enquirers.
Letter from T. W. A. Little to Mr. Adrian Sanders, dated 22 October 1998:
The Minister has asked me to reply to your question on the procedures in place at the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) to
identify persistent enquirers for information.
I can confirm that the VLA has a process in place for tracking all
enquiries addressed to the Agency.
Letter from Sarah Nason to Mr. Adrian Sanders, dated 22 October 1998:
Mr. Nick Brown has asked me to reply, in respect of the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency (FRCA), to your question about which
of his Department's agencies have procedures to identify persistent enquirers for information.
In accordance with FRCA's Charter and Statement of Service Standards correspondence is recorded and monitored locally. FRCA
Directors report on a quarterly basis to the Agency's Management Board so that service improvements and opportunities for
efficiencies can be identified. This process should ensure the identification of persistent enquirers.
Letter from P. W. Greig-Smith to Mr. Adrian Sanders, dated 22 October 1998:
As Agency Chief Executive, I am responding to your question to the Minister of Agriculture in relation to the Centre for
Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (CEFAS).
With regard to the operation of monitoring of persistent inquirers for information, CEFAS receives many requests from individuals
and organisations seeking information. These are monitored as required by the Agency's obligations under the Code of Practice on
Access to Government Information, and the Environmental Information Regulations 1992.
There are no specific procedures by which people who make frequent requests are identified, but any such cases would be evident from
inspection of the records when annual summaries are prepared.
Subjects
Executive agencies; Information; Government departments; Government information services; Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Date
22 October 1998
Reference
317 c1211-2W;317 c1211W; 53949
House
House of Commons
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many (a) men and (b) women employed by (1) his Department and (2) his Department's agencies have contracts of employment which permit them to retire after their 60th birthday. - Inc figs and text of letters from agencies. (Holding answer...
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many (a) men and (b) women employed by (1) his Department and (2) his Department's agencies have contracts of employment which permit them to retire after their 60th birthday. - Inc figs and text of letters from agencies. (Holding answer...
Asked by
Christopher Chope
(Conservative)
Answered by
Elliot Morley
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
23 July 1998
For answer on
31 July 1998
Answered on
31 July 1998
Mr. Chope: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many (a) men and (b) women employed by (1) his Department and
(2) his Department's agencies have contracts of employment which permit them to retire after their 60 birthday. [53050]
Mr. Morley: [holding answer 30 July 1998]: In the core Department, the normal retirement age for staff is 60 years. However, staff
in non-mobile grades (i.e. administrative assistant, administrative officer level), secretarial and office support grades,
industrial grades and farm workers are permitted to remain in service until the age of 65. Staff in mobile grades (i.e. executive
officer level and above) with less than 20 years pensionable service may also remain in service beyond the age of 60. Service beyond
the age of 60 has to be authorised and is subject to efficiency, fitness and the Ministry's needs.
In the core Department, there are currently 1,485 men and 2,216 women in non-mobile grades where retirement after 60 years of age is
permissible.
Chief Executives of the Department's Agencies will be replying direct to the hon. Member with information on their staff.
Letter from Sarah Nason to Mr. Christopher Chope, dated 31 July 1998:
Mr. Nick Brown has asked me to reply, in respect of the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency (FRCA), to your question about how
many men and women, aged over 60 years, were employed on 1 January.
In FRCA there were 3 men and 1 woman employed on 1 January.
Letter from Sarah Nason. to Mr. Christopher Chope, dated 31 July 1998:
Mr. Nick Brown has asked me to reply, in respect of the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency (FRCA), to your question about how
many men and women employed have contracts of employment which permit them to retire after their 60th birthday.
In FRCA, which has the same retirement arrangements as core MAFF, there are currently 40 men and 99 women in grades where retirement
after 60 years of age is permissible.
Letter from G. K. Bruce to Mr. Christopher Chope, dated 31 July 1998:
The Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, has asked me to reply to your question concerning
the number of men and women employed by the Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD) who have contracts of employment which permit them
to retire after their 60th birthday.
The rules which apply in PSD are the same as those applied in the parent Department. The normal retirement age for staff is 60
years. However, staff in non-mobile grades, ie Administrative Assistants, Administrative Officers and their scientific equivalents
and secretarial grades are permitted to remain in service until the age of 65. Staff in more senior grades, ie Executive Officers
and above and their scientific equivalents, with less than 20 years pensionable service may also remain in service beyond the age of
60. Service beyond the age of 60 has to be authorised and is subject to efficiency, fitness and the needs of the Agency.
In the Pesticides Safety Directorate, there are currently 16 men and 34 women in grades where retirement after 60 years of age is
permissible.
Letter from G. K. Bruce to Mr. Christopher Chope, dated 31 July 1998:
The Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply to your question concerning the
number of men and women employed by the Pesticides Safety Directorate aged 60 years and over on 1 January.
In the Pesticides Safety Directorate, there were no men or women aged over 60 years employed on 1 January.
Letter from J. M. Rutter to Mr. Christopher Chope, dated 31 July 1998:
The Minister has asked me to reply to your question about the number of a) men and b) women in the Veterinary Medicines Directorate
(VMD) with contracts of employment which allow them to retire after their 60th birthday, as this is an operational matter for which
I have responsibility.
The normal retirement age for staff in the VMD is 60 years. However, staff in administrative, secretarial and office support grades
are permitted to remain in service until the age of 65. Staff in more senior grades with less than 20 years pensionable service may
also remain in service beyond the age of 60. Service beyond the age of 60 for all staff has to be authorised and is subject to
efficiency, fitness and the VMD's needs.
In VMD there are currently 7 men and 32 women in grades where retirement after 60 years of age is permissible.
Letter from J. M. Rutter to Mr. Christopher Chope, dated 31 July 1998:
The Minister has asked me to reply to your question about the number of a) men and b) women aged over 60 employed in the Veterinary
Medicines Directorate on 1 January, as this is an operational matter for which I am responsible.
On 1 January 1998 there were 3 men and no women aged over 60 employed in the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.
Letter from P. I. Stanley to Mr. Christopher Chope, dated 31 July 1998:
The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply, in respect of the Central Science Laboratory (CSL), to your
questions concerning the number of staff aged over 60 years and those who have contracts that permit them to retire after their 60th
birthday.
On 1 January 1998, CSL employed 5 staff who were over the age of 60. All of these were men.
The normal retirement age for the majority of staff employed by CSL is 60. However, there are 71 staff working in administrative,
secretarial and support posts who, by virtue of their grade, are permitted to continue in post beyond the age of 60. 14 of these are
men and 57 are women.
In addition, staff in more senior grades with less than 20 years pensionable service may also remain in post beyond the age of 60,
subject to work, efficiency and fitness requirements.
Letter from P. W. Greig-Smith to Mr. Christopher Chope, dated 31 July 1998:
As Agency Chief Executive, I am responding to your questions to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food about employment
beyond the age of 60, in relation to the Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science.
In the CEFAS Agency, there were 10 men and 3 women aged over 60 years employed on 1 January 1998.
The normal retirement age for staff employed by CEFAS is 60 years. However, staff in administrative, secretarial, office support and
industrial grades and Assistant Scientific Officers are permitted to remain in service until the age of 65. Staff in more senior
grades with less than 20 years service may also remain in service beyond the age of 60. Service beyond the age of 60 is subject to
efficiency, fitness and the Ministry's needs.
At CEFAS, there are currently 101 men and 101 women in grades where retirement after 60 years of age is permissible.
Letter from T. W. A. Little to Mr. Christopher Chope, dated 31 July 1998:
The Minister has asked me to reply to your question on how many men/women aged over 60 years were employed by his Department's
Agencies on 1 January.
In the Veterinary Laboratories Agency there were 19 men and 19 women aged over 60 years employed on 1 January 1998.
Letter from T. W. A. Little to Mr. Christopher Chope, dated 31 July 1998:
The Minister has asked me to reply to your question on how many men/women employed by his Department's Agencies have contracts of
employment which permit them to retire after their 60th birthday.
In the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) the normal retirement age for staff is 60 years. However, staff in VLA Pay Bands F, F(1)
and G, including administrative, secretarial and scientific support staff and animal technicians are permitted to remain in service
until the age of 65. Staff in higher Pay Bands with less than 20 years pensionable service may also remain in service beyond the age
of 60. Service beyond the age of 60 has to be authorised and is subject to efficiency, fitness and Agency's needs. In the VLA there
are currently 210 men and 453 women in Pay Bands F, F(1) and G where retirement after 60 years of age is permissible.
Letter from Johnston McNeil to Mr. Christopher Chope, dated 31 July 1998:
As Chief Executive of the Meat Hygiene Service, your question to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food regarding the
number of men and women employed who have contracts of employment which permit them to retire after their 60th birthday has been
passed to me to respond on behalf of this Executive Agency.
The Meat Hygiene Service was established on 1 April 1995 as an Executive Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
(MAFF). It took over from local authorities the responsibility for enforcing meat hygiene, inspection and animal welfare at
slaughter legislation in licensed fresh meat premises in Great Britain. The majority of MHS staff transferred from local authorities
with their existing contractual benefits under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Act 1981. As a consequence
the majority of MHS employees are members of the Local Government Pension Scheme which has a retirement age of 65.
In the MHS, 1308 men and 164 women have contracts of employment with a retirement age of 65.
Letter from Johnston McNeil to Mr. Christopher Chope, dated 31 July 1998:
As Chief Executive of the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS), your question to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF)
regarding the number of men and women employed who are aged over 60 has been passed to me to reply on behalf of this Executive
Agency.
The MHS employs 84 men and 1 woman who are aged over 60.
Subjects
Age; Executive agencies; Civil service; Government departments; Retirement; Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Date
31 July 1998
Reference
317 c735-7W; 53050
House
House of Commons