§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why the average overtime worked by a full-time male ancillary worker in the National Health Service is four hours per week longer than the overtime worked by women.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThis is a matter for local NHS management rather than for Ministers. The Government are fully committed to the principle of equality of328W employment opportunities for the sexes in the NHS. I am advised that men are more frequently employed in those occupations, for example portering and transport, where a service has to be maintained round the clock and overtime is therefore more commonly required. Among full-time manual workers generally in Great Britain men worked an average of 4 .8 hours per week more than women in 1981.
§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if the differences between average weekly earnings for full-time men and women ancillary workers in the National Health Service are entirely accounted for by differences in the amount of overtime worked.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeNo. Men and women share common rates of pay and conditions of service but more men are employed full-time in the higher ancillary grades so that their average basic pay is higher. Basic pay is enhanced by a number of additions including allowances for working shifts, weekends, night and unsocial hours as well as overtime, all of which are more frequently earned by men than by women.