§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether operating department assistants from agencies are paid at a higher or lower rate than National Health Service staff.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe have no information about the terms and conditions of service of operating department assistants employed by private agencies. Operating department assistants employed by the NHS receive a package of terms and conditions which includes items such as holidays, pensions and sick pay. Comparison is therefore not possible.