To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many North Wales police officers currently absent from work through illness have been absent for a period of (a) between three and six months, (b) between six and 12 months and (c) more than 12 months. (261889)

[holding answer 9 March 2009]: The information requested is not held centrally. The available data relating to police sickness absence are for the amount of police officer and police staff working time lost to sickness. The data are available on the Home Office website, located at:

http://police.homeoffice.gov.uk/performanceandmeasurement/performanceassessment/assessments-2007-2008/north-wales