§ Mr. Moneyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she will make a statement regarding the delay in payment of approved awards of maximum benefit to nursing staff in the Ipswich area owing to difficulties in reprogramming the computer of the East Anglian Regional Health Authority.
§ Dr. OwenI understand that weekly-paid staff are being paid on the new rates from this week and monthly-paid staff from their May salary. All staff will receive the arrears due to them or payments on account next week. The award is a very complicated one because of the phase 3 statutory code. Finance and computer staff are to be commended on their special efforts to implement it which has meant their working in many cases very long hours.