HC Deb 10 May 1978 vol 949 cc512-3W
Mr. Grocott

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will list the number of permanent secretaries in 1965, 1970 and 1975 indicating for each year (a) their average age, (b) whether they were educated privately or at State schools, (c) whether they attended Oxford or Cambridge, (d) whether they had degrees in the arts, sciences or social sciences, (e) what honours or other decorations they had been awarded, and (f) what was their average salary.

Mr. Charles R. Morris

The following table gives the information which is available centrally about permanent secretaries in the Home Civil Service.

in the United Kingdom; and what he estimates will be the total costs of the celebrations.

Mr. Ennals

Specific observance of the National Health Service anniversary in England is restricted to a buffet luncheon on 5th July at Lancaster House. As well as marking the thirtieth anniversary of the National Health Service, this will also mark the thirtieth anniversary of the coming into effect of the statutes which laid down the main structure of our present social security and personal social services schemes. Among some 275 guests will be representatives from organisations most closely associated with all these services. Staff of various grades in the NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and the appropriate health Departments, some of whom will have served throughout the 30 years, will also be represented. The cost of the luncheon is estimated at approximately £2,000.

A working conference on 4th July considering problems to do with the delivery of health care and personal social services is being associated with the thirtieth anniversary, as also may be other events sponsored by health authorities and other organisations. The extent of such activities cannot be forecast, but guidance has been issued specifically counselling against activities involving any significant expense.

A simple descriptive booklet dealing with the work of the NHS and personal social services and a similar range of posters are to be made available by the Department, but the booklet is intended to become a part of the standard range of Departmental publications.

The questions of the observance of the anniversary in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are matters for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.