§ Mrs. Fennerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services on what research he has based the 1.8p per mile increase for community nurses' mileage, which amounts to 10.2p per mile for running costs, when the Automobile Association has estimated that the cost of running a 1,000 to 1,500 cc car is 16.59p per mile.
§ Sir George YoungMileage allowances are fixed by the General Whitley Council in accordance with a formula based on the AA schedule of motoring costs. The schedule indicates that, because of standing charges, the cost per mile of running a 1000 to 1500 cc car varies considerably according to actual mileage undertaken and the estimated average cost of 16.59p per mile to which my hon. Friend refers applies only on total annual mileage of 10,000 miles a year. A community nurse receiving 10.2p per mile for running costs would also be receiving lump sum payments of £234 per annum under the NHS regular user scheme which serves substantially to increase the effective rate of payment per mile. Thus, on typical official mileage of 3,000 miles a year, such a nurse would receive total payment of £540, equivalent to 18p per mile.