HC Deb 06 August 1976 vol 916 c1169W
Mr. Grocott

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average income of a hospital consultant.

Dr. Owen

I regret that this information is not available. The salary scale of a whole-time NHS hospital consultant rises by 4 incremental stages from £7,536 to £10,689 per annum. Part-time, including maximum part-time, consultants are paid proportionately to the above rates and may in addition undertake private practice. All consultants are eligible to be considered for distinction awards; about one in three hold these at any one time. Consultants may also receive fees from public sources for domiciliary and exceptional consultations, lecture fees, family planning work and for certain other items of work which are not part of their NHS contractual duties and do not involve the

£million
1960–61 1961–62 1962–63 1963–64 1964–65
Current benefit levels:
Unemployment benefit 15 15 16 19 21
Supplementary benefit 5 5 5 6 6
November 1976 benefit levels:
Unemployment benefit 18 17 18 21 23
Supplementary benefit 5 6 6 7 7
Payment of retirement pensions to unemployed males aged between 60 and 65 who are in receipt of supplementary benefit would result in an increase, not a saving, in public expenditure on the assumption that the long-term rates of supplementary benefit would be applicable.