§ 42. Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the extra cost incurred in employing 1,415 agency nurses in London teaching hospitals for the month of November over the sum required for National Health Service nurses.
§ Mr. AlisonAn estimate is not possible as the charges of different agencies vary and National Health Service nurses are paid on a scale and not a flat rate. But in many cases there is little difference in 367W cost between agency and directly-employed National Health Service nurses of similar grade when account is taken of the paid sick leave, holiday and superannuation provisions for the latter.