HC Deb 13 March 1989 vol 149 cc75-6W
Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total sum paid out in fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation by his Department in 1979–80 and each year to date; and what is the estimate for 1989–90.

Mr. Mellor

No expenditure on fees to outside organisations in the furtherance of privatisation of health-related areas of work prior to 1986–87 has been identified. Expenditure in 1986–87 and each year to date, and the estimated expenditure in 1989–90, are as follows:

Year £
1986–87 63,000
1987–88 61,000
1988–89 202,000
1989–90 250,000

All expenditure up to and including 1988–89 has been from a joint Health and Social Security budget.

The number of whole time equivalent staff in post in the statistics and information area of work within the administrative and clerical staff group in the NHS (England) at 30 September 1987 was 867 whole time equivalent staff. Of these only four could be separately identified as being statisticians.

We do not collect information on staff vacancies centrally. Staff complements for specific areas of work are a matter for local determination.

Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in his Department; if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts; and if he will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1989–90.

Mr. Mellor

Staff in post and vacancies in Department of Health statistical branches at 1 March 1989 are shown in the table: