To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 27 February 2008, Official Report, column 1490W, on voluntary work, what special leave entitlement is available to staff to take time off to volunteer. (195917)

Staff in HM Treasury may be allowed to take one day's paid special leave in any leave year and if staff wish to extend this, they can trade unused days with colleagues up to a maximum of five days per staff member per leave year.

In addition to this entitlement, there is also a category of special paid leave of up to 10 days per leave year for activities which are a “valuable public service or which promote the general good of the Treasury”.