§ Mr. Chopeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the total current annual cost to the National Health Service of paying a special duty allowance to ancillary workers during periods of paid leave.
§ Mr. John PattenThere is no "special duty allowance" as such, but if my hon. Friend has in mind payments for "on-call" duty the total annual cost in Great Britain of such payments to ancillary staff during periods of annual or sick leave is estimated to be in the order of £25,000.