§ Mr. Peter Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the increase in expenditure in the National Health Service in Northern Ireland in each year since May 1979; and how much of this expenditure was due to (a) increases in the salaries of existing staff and (b) increases in the number of staff employed.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThe information is not available in the precise form requested. Increases in health and social services boards' revenue expenditure, salaries and wages and staff numbers, are as follows:
336W
Increase on Previous Year Year Total Revenue £ Salaries and Wages £ Increase in Staff numbers (whole time equivalents in June each year) 1979–80 57,839,000 42,939,000 1,148 1980–81 82,646,000 69,159,000 1,606 1981–82 44,620,000 28,529,000 1,328 1982–83 36,117,000 22,475,000 658 Due to staff turnover, incremental progression, changes in terms and conditions of employment, varying overtime requirements and the complex effect of pay awards, it is not possible to calculate the proportion of the increased expenditure on salaries and wages attributable to increases in salaries of existing staff and to increases in the number of staff employed.