§ Mr. Roseasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much money was paid out during 1973 by the National Health Service in respect of the fees of agency nurses; and what was their average pay per hour as compared with State registered nurses and auxiliary nurses, respectively.
§ Dr. OwenPayments to nurses agencies by hospital authorities in England totalled £6.8 million in the year ended 31st March 1973. Information is not available to calculate the average pay per hour of the agency nurses supplied. Agency nurses generally have higher take-home pay than National Health Service nurses of similar grade, but they do not have paid annual and sick leave and superannuation provisions and their income tax is paid under Schedule D and not through PAYE.