To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff of his Department were recorded absent for non-medical reasons on (a) 2 February 2009 and (b) 3 February 2009; what estimate he has made of the (i) cost to his Department and (ii) number of working hours lost due to such absence; and what guidance his Department issued to staff in respect of absence on these days. (260470)

Treasury guidance ensures that staff attendance and absence are managed locally by line managers with their staff. Flexible working arrangements ensure that many staff have the capacity to work from home when transport or other disruptions occur.

Details of the number or cost of staff taking leave or applying flexible working arrangements on any particular day could be provided only at disproportionate cost.