§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services on what evidence he based his conclusion as to the existence of bogus incentive schemes and other unsatisfactory working practices, Official Report, 31 March, columns 40 and 46; and what guidance he has given to health authorities to assist them in dealing with these problems.
§ Dr. VaughanReport No. 1 of the Standing Commission on pay compara-
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Judicial Separations made in the High Court and County Courts† Year Marriages Divorce decrees absolute* High court County court Total 1959 340,126 24,286 92 — 92 1960 343,614 23,868 118 — 118 1961 346,678 25,394 124 — 124 1962 347,732 28,935 114 — 114 1963 351,329 32,052 116 — 116 1964 359,307 34,868 140 — 140 1965 371,127 37,785 130 — 130 1966 384,497 39,067 96 — 96 1967 386,052 43,093 127 — 127 1968 407,822 45,794 75 30 105 1969 396,746 51,310 56 60 116 1970 415,487 58,239 45 44 89 1971 404,737 74,437 40 50 90 1972 426,241 119,025 46 87 133 1973 400,435 106,003 75 115 190 1974 384,389 113,500 81 165 246 1975 380,620 120,522 80 243 323 1976 358,567 126,694 166 418 584 1977 356,954 129,053 165 596 761 1978 368,258 143,667 215 1,013 1,228 *Including annulments. † Judicial separations are granted in the High Court under section 17 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973. In addition, section 1(1) of Matrimonial Causes Act 1967 allows judicial separations to be heard at county courts where the court concerned is a court of trial. bility, which covered NHS ancillary staffs and ambulancemen, suggested that the opportunity should be taken to overhaul inefficient practices designed to boost earnings and to review and prune unsound incentive bonus schemes. There are established procedures for both technical and financial audit of schemes and health authorities are required to correct any defects that come to light. Individual cases of failure to tackle these problems and to secure the necessary savings will be taken up with the appropriate authorities.