§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the total number of nurses to be dismissed in the 10 regions and the special health authorities with boards of governors by 31 March 1984.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe manpower targets which have been settled for each region and special health authority board of governors are global targets covering all staff groups. The distribution of the target across health authorities and staff groups is a matter for local decision, depending on local circumstances and priorities.
There is no good reason to assume that where reductions in staff numbers are required this will lead automatically to dismissals. It is likely that much can be achieved through natural wastage. I have no evidence so far that any nurses at all have been or will be dismissed as a result of manpower targets.