§ 50. Mr. Hastingsasked the Minister of Health if he will give an estimate of the annual cost of advertisements for porters, nurses and domestic staff, respectively, in the hospital service.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Miss Patricia Hornsby-Smith)I regret it is not possible to give separate figures.
§ Mr. HastingsDoes the hon. Lady realise what difficulties local hospitals have, especially in the Greater London area, in getting and keeping staff, particularly porters and domestic staff? Although she cannot give the figures, does she realise that a vast amount is spent on advertising and that if only wages were comparable with what can be obtained in ordinary industry, all that would be saved and much better staff would be obtained in the hospitals under her control?
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithI appreciate that quite a considerable sum is spent on advertising, but I think the hon. Member is a little optimistic if he thinks we should get over what is a very real staff shortage, particularly in the southern and London areas, by his proposal.