§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the total amount of new disbursement by health authorities to nurses consequent upon 5 per cent. of the recent pay award now being paid at the end of August what is his estimate of the interest at current rates which has been saved by health authorities as a result of payment. not having been made on the due date of 1 April; and if he will take steps to disburse this sum in the form of a Christmas bonus in December additional to normal monthly salary payments.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe total cost to health authorities in England in 1985–86 of the pay award to nurses and midwives is £173 million. The Government do not draw funds in advance of need. Although health 233W authorities are notified of their annual allocations before the start of the financial year, they only draw cash on a daily basis. The question of interest does not therefore arise and there are no savings to health authorities as a result of the first stage of the award not being put into payment on 1 April. I am glad to say that most nurses are likely to receive their first stage awards backdated to 1 April in their August pay packets.