House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 4 Jul 2005 (pt 6)

4 Jul 2005 : Column 17W—continued

Departmental Staff (Stress)

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many cases of work-related stress have been reported in his Department in each of the last three years; how much compensation was paid to employees in each year; how many work days were lost due to work-related stress in each year; at what cost; what procedures have been put in place to reduce work-related stress; at what cost; and if he will make a statement. [7873]

Ms Buck: It is difficult to differentiate between work-related and non work-related stress absence. Experience has shown that stress related absences are often due to a combination of work and personal circumstances. We are also aware that some staff are reluctant to report that their absence has been as a result of stress.

4 Jul 2005 : Column 18W

The following information relates to 'all' stress related absences reported by staff over the last two years which includes anxiety, nervous debility, neurosis, emotional upset and stress:

Days lost due to all stress related absence
Cost of absence (£)

2003 34,092 2,792,493

2004 37,539 3,127,546

	Days lost due to all stress related absence	Cost of absence (£)
2003	34,092	2,792,493
2004	37,539	3,127,546

We do not have the complete figures for 2002.

There has been one compensation claim settled at a cost of £52,000.

The Department has a stress policy in place and across the Department various proactive measures have been introduced. The measures include guidance to staff by way of workshops and presentations and the provision of guidance leaflets. Training is provided for managers to clarify their role and responsibilities to help reduce stress in themselves and their staff. Well being and lifestyle screening programmes are also being considered. The total cost of these measures is not readily available although some have involved little or no cost.

The Department also believes in early intervention by occupational health in response to reported stress absences and all staff have access to counselling services.

Driver Vehicle Licensing (Northern Ireland)

Mr. Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what studies the Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency has carried out in the past 12 months regarding the future of Driver Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland Coleraine. [9446]

Dr. Ladyman: In September 2004, DVLA initiated a study to examine the feasibility of merging the vehicles registration and licensing operations in Coleraine, (processing NI transactions) and in Swansea, (processing GB transactions).

The study concluded that there were benefits from integrating the vehicle licensing operations and management to deliver a UK-wide service from a single IT system. However, service to NI customers will continue to be delivered from Coleraine and NI local offices.

Separate discussions are taking place in respect of the future of driver licensing in Northern Ireland.

Driving Tests (Kent)

Jonathan Shaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) passes and (b) failures of driving tests there were in each test centre in Kent in each of the last five years. [8054]

Dr. Ladyman: The following tables show the results, by category of vehicle, of practical driving tests conducted at test centres in Kent in each of the last five years.

4 Jul 2005 : Column 19W

Pass and fails in Kent 2000–01 to 2004–05Cars

2000–01
2001–02

Fail Pass Total Percentage Pass Fail Pass Total Percentage Pass

Ashford (Kent) 1,004 1,067 2,071 51.5 1,299 1,239 2,538 48.8

Broadstairs (Thanet) 1,130 1,178 2,308 51.0 1,321 1,340 2,661 50.4

Canterbury 1,610 1,216 2,826 43.0 1,451 1,143 2,594 44.1

Folkestone 1,487 1,270 2,757 46.1 1,680 1,359 3,039 44.7

Gillingham L and LGV 2,850 1,959 4,809 40.7 3,516 2,421 5,937 40.8

Gravesend 1,947 1,696 3,643 46.6 2,164 1,845 4,009 46.0

Herne Bay 1,340 1,322 2,662 49.7 1,695 1,672 3,367 49.7

Sevenoaks 1,285 1,172 2,457 47.7 1,291 1,124 2,415 46.5

Tunbridge Wells 1,681 1,660 3,341 49.7 1,667 1,602 3,269 49.0

National pass rate — — — 43.9 — — — 43.4

2002–03
2003–04

Fail Pass Total Percentage Pass Fail Pass Total Percentage Pass

Ashford (Kent) 1,302 1,279 2,581 49.6 1,332 1,338 2,670 50.1

Broadstairs (Thanet) 1,623 1,456 3,079 47.3 1,433 1,359 2,792 48.7

Canterbury 1,556 1,213 2,769 43.8 1,551 1,144 2,695 42.4

Folkestone 2,016 1,560 3,576 43.6 2,650 1,857 4,507 41.2

Gillingham L and LGV 3,566 2,611 6,177 42.3 3,980 2,608 6,588 39.6

Gravesend 2,255 1,703 3,958 43.0 3,211 2,096 5,307 39.5

Herne Bay 1,969 1,770 3,739 47.3 1,908 1,642 3,550 46.3

Sevenoaks 1,771 1,507 3,278 46.0 1,786 1,421 3,207 44.3

Tunbridge Wells 1,974 1,917 3,891 49.3 1,853 1,830 3,683 49.7

National pass rate — — — 43.2 — — — 42.8

2004–05

Fail Pass Total Percentage Pass

Ashford (Kent) 1,591 1,588 3,179 50.0

Broadstairs (Thanet) 1,944 1,707 3,651 46.8

Canterbury 1,796 1,323 3,119 42.4

Folkestone 2,366 1,789 4,155 43.1

Gillingham L and LGV 4,508 2,837 7,345 38.6

Gravesend 3,940 2,517 6,457 39.0

Herne Bay 2,577 1,968 4,545 43.3

Sevenoaks 2,710 2,009 4,719 42.6

Tunbridge Wells 2,291 2,303 4,594 50.1

National pass rate — — — 42.1

Bike

2000–01
2001–02

Fail Pass Total Percentage Pass Fail Pass Total Percentage Pass

Ashford (Kent) 146 317 463 68.5 89 185 274 67.5

Broadstairs (Thanet) 111 287 398 72.1 96 214 310 69.0

Folkestone 93 200 293 68.3 80 182 262 69.5

Gillingham L and LGV 338 576 914 63.0 361 566 927 61.1

Tunbridge Wells 159 317 476 66.6 132 340 472 72.0

National pass rate — — — 66.2 — — — 65.8

2002–03
2003–04

Fail Pass Total Percentage Pass Fail Pass Total Percentage Pass

Ashford (Kent) 2 4 6 66.7 0 0 0 0.0

Broadstairs (Thanet) 108 282 390 72.3 162 345 507 68.0

Folkestone 149 345 494 69.8 146 302 448 67.4

Gillingham L and LGV 456 708 1,164 60.8 408 707 1,115 63.4

Tunbridge Wells 163 353 516 68.4 163 374 537 69.6

National pass rate — — — 64.7 — — — 64.5

4 Jul 2005 : Column 21W

2004–05

Fail Pass Total Percentage Pass

Ashford (Kent) 0 0 0 0.00

Broadstairs (Thanet) 173 348 521 66.8

Folkestone 101 231 332 69.6

Gillingham L and LGV 381 640 1,021 62.7

Tunbridge Wells 152 341 493 69.2

National pass rate — — — 64.4

LGV (Lorry)

2000–01
2001–02

Fail Pass Total Percentage Pass Fail Pass Total Percentage Pass

Canterbury LGV 113 99 212 46.7 243 233 476 48.9

Gillingham L and LGV 472 479 951 50.4 741 755 1,496 50.5

National pass rate — — — 53.0 — — — 52.0

2002–03
2003–04

Fail Pass Total Percentage Pass Fail Pass Total Percentage Pass

Canterbury LGV 319 282 601 46.9 334 310 644 48.1

Gillingham L and LGV 818 813 1,631 49.8 751 808 1,559 51.8

National pass rate — — — 49.4 — — — 48.8

2004–05

Fail Pass Total Percentage Pass

Canterbury LGV 458 364 822 44.3

Gillingham L and LGV 1,146 1,060 2,206 48.1

National pass rate — — — 46.0

PCV(Bus)

2000–01
2001–02

Fail Pass Total Percentage pass Fail Pass Total Percentage pass

Canterbury LGV 35 27 62 43:5 38 53 91 58.2

Gillingham L and LGV 74 81 155 52.3 213 159 372 42.7

National pass rate — — — 48.0 — — — 45.0

2002–03
2003–04

Fail Pass Total Percentage pass Fail Pass Total Percentage pass

Canterbury LGV 61 41 102 40.2 44 40 84 47.6

Gillingham L and LGV 324 231 555 41.6 286 217 503 43.1

National pass rate — — — 44.0 — — — 46.0

2004–05

Fail Pass Total Percentage Pass

Canterbury LGV 68 44 112 39.3

Gillingham L and LGV 276 164 440 37.3

National pass rate — — — 44.0

	2000–01	2001–02
	Fail	Pass	Total	Percentage Pass	Fail	Pass	Total	Percentage Pass
Ashford (Kent)	1,004	1,067	2,071	51.5	1,299	1,239	2,538	48.8
Broadstairs (Thanet)	1,130	1,178	2,308	51.0	1,321	1,340	2,661	50.4
Canterbury	1,610	1,216	2,826	43.0	1,451	1,143	2,594	44.1
Folkestone	1,487	1,270	2,757	46.1	1,680	1,359	3,039	44.7
Gillingham L and LGV	2,850	1,959	4,809	40.7	3,516	2,421	5,937	40.8
Gravesend	1,947	1,696	3,643	46.6	2,164	1,845	4,009	46.0
Herne Bay	1,340	1,322	2,662	49.7	1,695	1,672	3,367	49.7
Sevenoaks	1,285	1,172	2,457	47.7	1,291	1,124	2,415	46.5
Tunbridge Wells	1,681	1,660	3,341	49.7	1,667	1,602	3,269	49.0
National pass rate	—	—	—	43.9	—	—	—	43.4

	2002–03	2003–04
	Fail	Pass	Total	Percentage Pass	Fail	Pass	Total	Percentage Pass
Ashford (Kent)	1,302	1,279	2,581	49.6	1,332	1,338	2,670	50.1
Broadstairs (Thanet)	1,623	1,456	3,079	47.3	1,433	1,359	2,792	48.7
Canterbury	1,556	1,213	2,769	43.8	1,551	1,144	2,695	42.4
Folkestone	2,016	1,560	3,576	43.6	2,650	1,857	4,507	41.2
Gillingham L and LGV	3,566	2,611	6,177	42.3	3,980	2,608	6,588	39.6
Gravesend	2,255	1,703	3,958	43.0	3,211	2,096	5,307	39.5
Herne Bay	1,969	1,770	3,739	47.3	1,908	1,642	3,550	46.3
Sevenoaks	1,771	1,507	3,278	46.0	1,786	1,421	3,207	44.3
Tunbridge Wells	1,974	1,917	3,891	49.3	1,853	1,830	3,683	49.7
National pass rate	—	—	—	43.2	—	—	—	42.8

	2004–05
	Fail	Pass	Total	Percentage Pass
Ashford (Kent)	1,591	1,588	3,179	50.0
Broadstairs (Thanet)	1,944	1,707	3,651	46.8
Canterbury	1,796	1,323	3,119	42.4
Folkestone	2,366	1,789	4,155	43.1
Gillingham L and LGV	4,508	2,837	7,345	38.6
Gravesend	3,940	2,517	6,457	39.0
Herne Bay	2,577	1,968	4,545	43.3
Sevenoaks	2,710	2,009	4,719	42.6
Tunbridge Wells	2,291	2,303	4,594	50.1
National pass rate	—	—	—	42.1

	2000–01	2001–02
	Fail	Pass	Total	Percentage Pass	Fail	Pass	Total	Percentage Pass
Ashford (Kent)	146	317	463	68.5	89	185	274	67.5
Broadstairs (Thanet)	111	287	398	72.1	96	214	310	69.0
Folkestone	93	200	293	68.3	80	182	262	69.5
Gillingham L and LGV	338	576	914	63.0	361	566	927	61.1
Tunbridge Wells	159	317	476	66.6	132	340	472	72.0
National pass rate	—	—	—	66.2	—	—	—	65.8

	2002–03	2003–04
	Fail	Pass	Total	Percentage Pass	Fail	Pass	Total	Percentage Pass
Ashford (Kent)	2	4	6	66.7	0	0	0	0.0
Broadstairs (Thanet)	108	282	390	72.3	162	345	507	68.0
Folkestone	149	345	494	69.8	146	302	448	67.4
Gillingham L and LGV	456	708	1,164	60.8	408	707	1,115	63.4
Tunbridge Wells	163	353	516	68.4	163	374	537	69.6
National pass rate	—	—	—	64.7	—	—	—	64.5

	2004–05
	Fail	Pass	Total	Percentage Pass
Ashford (Kent)	0	0	0	0.00
Broadstairs (Thanet)	173	348	521	66.8
Folkestone	101	231	332	69.6
Gillingham L and LGV	381	640	1,021	62.7
Tunbridge Wells	152	341	493	69.2
National pass rate	—	—	—	64.4

	2000–01	2001–02
	Fail	Pass	Total	Percentage Pass	Fail	Pass	Total	Percentage Pass
Canterbury LGV	113	99	212	46.7	243	233	476	48.9
Gillingham L and LGV	472	479	951	50.4	741	755	1,496	50.5
National pass rate	—	—	—	53.0	—	—	—	52.0

	2002–03	2003–04
	Fail	Pass	Total	Percentage Pass	Fail	Pass	Total	Percentage Pass
Canterbury LGV	319	282	601	46.9	334	310	644	48.1
Gillingham L and LGV	818	813	1,631	49.8	751	808	1,559	51.8
National pass rate	—	—	—	49.4	—	—	—	48.8

	2004–05
	Fail	Pass	Total	Percentage Pass
Canterbury LGV	458	364	822	44.3
Gillingham L and LGV	1,146	1,060	2,206	48.1
National pass rate	—	—	—	46.0

	2000–01	2001–02
	Fail	Pass	Total	Percentage pass	Fail	Pass	Total	Percentage pass
Canterbury LGV	35	27	62	43:5	38	53	91	58.2
Gillingham L and LGV	74	81	155	52.3	213	159	372	42.7
National pass rate	—	—	—	48.0	—	—	—	45.0

	2002–03	2003–04
	Fail	Pass	Total	Percentage pass	Fail	Pass	Total	Percentage pass
Canterbury LGV	61	41	102	40.2	44	40	84	47.6
Gillingham L and LGV	324	231	555	41.6	286	217	503	43.1
National pass rate	—	—	—	44.0	—	—	—	46.0

	2004–05
	Fail	Pass	Total	Percentage Pass
Canterbury LGV	68	44	112	39.3
Gillingham L and LGV	276	164	440	37.3
National pass rate	—	—	—	44.0

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