§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people were employed in hospital works departments in each year since 1970; and how many extra staff would need to be employed now to bring these departments up to their full staffing complement.
§ Dr. Vaughan[pursuant to his reply, 19 June, c. 639]: The number of people—whole-time equivalents—employed in hospital works departments in England excluding administrative support staff for each year from 1970 to 1978 (the latest year for which figures are available) is as follows:
1970 27,448 1971 27,787 1972 27,185 1973 26,569 1974 26,432 1975 27,929 1976 28,668 1977 28,700 1978 28,447 Area health authorities are responsible for the maintenance of the NHS estate and for determining the level of staffing needed for this purpose. Records of staffing complements are not held centrally.
§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now conduct an inquiry into the present con 172W shown receive the full 16.5 per cent, up-rating, but the child dependency allowances are reduced by 75p each to take account of the increase in child benefit—which is included in the amounts shown. Apart from war widow's pension, which is not taxable, the personal element of the benefits is taxable but benefit payable for children is tax-free. The tax-free amount is shown in brackets after the total benefit.
ditions of the National Health Service's estates; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. VaughanI refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Short) today.