§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the total number of nurses of all grades employed at the Central Middlesex Hospital ; what were the charges made for meals in October of each of the last three years ; what is the present charge ; what is his estimate of the saving of hospital funds which the increases of November 1973 332W will bring in in a full year ; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir K. JosephThe total number of nursing staff at Central Middlesex Hospital at 31st October was 661. Charges for a standard midday meal and a typical alternative midday meal in October of the last three years and at present are as follows :
Standard midday meal Typical alternative midday meal p p October 1971 16 17½ October 1972 18½ 21 October 1973 20 27 November 1973 20 30½ The increased charge applied from 26th November affected only non-standard meals and was based on a formula which reflects increased costs of ingredients and provides a related contribution to overheads. I regret that it is not possible at this stage to make any realistic estimate of the overall financial effect.
§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to resolve the hardship caused by the increase in the cost of nurses' meals at Central Middlesex Hospital.
§ Sir K. JosephI have made inquiries, and received no evidence of complaints of hardship to nursing staff at Central Middlesex Hospital arising from the increased charges for non-standard meals introduced on 26th November.
§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many nurses did not use the meals service at Central Middlesex Hospital in the week beginning 26th November 1973.
§ Sir K. JosephI regret that the information is not available in the form requested. The total number of midday meals served to all staff, other than medical staff, in week commencing 26th November was 1,016 as compared with 1,333 in the preceding week and 1,257 in week commencing 12th November.