To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many officer days have been lost through sickness and what percentage of officers at Maghaberry prison have (i) reported sick and (ii) been absent from work for reasons of illness or stress (a) over the last month and (b) over the same four week period in 1998 and 1997. [80603]

[holding answer 16 April 1999]: The number of days lost to sickness in the period mentioned is as follows:

Days
March 1999	2,128
March 1998	1,724
April 1997	1,634

Data for March 1997 are not available.The average daily percentage of officers on sick leave against total staff in post during the three periods in question is as follows:

Percentage
March 1999	12.58
March 1998	10.90
March 1997	9.48