68. Colonel Wheatleyasked the Minister of Health whether he can state the number of extra staff which will be required in his Department and in the various hospital regions when the Health Act, 1947, comes into force.
§ Mr. BevanAs the answer is rather long and involves figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. BevanI think that the hon. and gallant Member might first read the reply, and then if he wishes to put a Question down he can do so.
§ Following is the answer:
§ Provision was made in the Estimates for my Department for the current financial year, 1947–48, for 350 extra staff to deal with additional work resulting from the National Health Service Act. For the next financial year, 1948–49, it has been found necessary to provide for a further 320. Nearly half of these additional 670 are required as a result of the provisions in the Act for superannuation benefit for those taking part in the different branches of the new health service and, of the remainder most are required for other financial work in connection with the Act.
§ It is estimated that the total staff to be employed at the headquarters of the 14 regional hospital boards at the date when the Act comes into force will be about 600. Of these a large proportion will not be extra staff but will have been transferred to the service of the Boards from local authorities and other bodies.