§ Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Employment to what extent the new fees proposed to be charged by the employment medical advisory service are to cover the direct cost of examinations as opposed to the cost of overheads.
§ Mr. WaddingtonIt is not possible to divide the costs of medical examinations conducted by the employment medical advisory service, which the fees introduced by virtue of S.I. 1981 No. 334 will recover, into "direct" and "overhead" costs. However, the following table gives the percentage distribution of the main elements in the cost of the medical examinations—excluding the costs of X-rays, haemoglobin estimations and other laboratory tests:
Element Percentage Salary costs and fees* 85.8 Travel and subsistence expenses 10.8 Equipment costs 2.7 Expenses of Examinees 0.7 100.0 *Includes average salary, superannuation, employer's National Insurance contribution plus additions to cover annual use of stationery, telephone, postage, small office machines, accommodation and headquarters support.