§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North on 16 May, Official Report, column 160, if he will apportion the figures in relation to earnings and the average hours worked by National Health Service 378W nursing staff, midwives and health visitors, between (a) hours actually worked, (b) hours of paid absence and (c) value of London weighting.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkePaid absences are not separately identified in the earnings returns submitted by health authorities and cannot therefore be distinguished from hours actually worked.
The current rates of London weighting for NHS nursing staff, midwives and health visitors are £807 per annum (non-resident) and £224 per annum (resident). Lower rates are paid to staff in a number of designated locations in the Home Counties. These amounts are payable to eligible staff in addition to the earnings estimates previously given.