§ Mrs. Knightasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on his plans to control manpower in the National Health Service.
§ Mr. FowlerI have today established an independent NHS management inquiry into these matters. Health authorities in England have a revenue budget of almost £9 billion; employ about a million people; and spend almost 75 per cent. of their revenue on pay. The Government need to be satisfied that these considerable resources are managed efficiently and give the nation value for money. The inquiry will be led by Mr. Roy Griffiths, deputy chairman and managing director of J. Sainsbury PLC. Mr. Griffiths will be assisted by Mr. Michael Bett, board member for personnel at British Telecom, Mr. Jim Blyth, group finance director of United Biscuits, and Sir Brian Bailey, chairman of Television South West and of the Health Education Council and formerly chairman of South Western regional health authority. As my expert advisers, they will give me advice, on the effective use and management of manpower and related resources, as their inquiries proceed. We aim to make the earliest possible impact on the management of the NHS for the benefit of patients and the community as a whole. Mr. Griffiths will advise me on progress by the end of June 1983.