To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many staff in his Department have (a) been disciplined and (b) had their employment terminated as a result of a poor sickness record in each of the last five years. (163678)

The Department's Human Resources Directorate holds central data for only 2006 and 2007 on staff who were formally warned (disciplined) as a result of a poor sick record:

2007: Eight (includes six who returned to effective working; two who were dismissed)

2006: 19 (includes 13 who returned to effective working; two who were successful in their applications for medical retirement; and four who were dismissed).