HC Deb 24 June 1985 vol 81 cc329-30W
Mr. Dobson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether there are specific limitations in force over administrative manpower in the National Health Service.

Mr. John Patten

No. We have asked health authorities to examine critically the level of administrative and clerical staff and as a result we expect reductions to be made.

Mr. Maxton

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many medical laboratory scientific officers are employed by the National Health Service in England;

(2) how many principal medical laboratory scientific officers are employed by the National Health Service in England.

Mr. John Patten

At 30 September 1983 there were 14,718 (whole-time equivalent) medical laboratory scientific officers employed in the National Health Service in England. Of these, 89 were principal medical laboratory scientific officers.

Mr. Maxton

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many physicists, biochemists and clinical psychologists are employed by the National Health Service in England; and, of each group, how many are in the top grade.

Mr. John Patten

Staff in post in England at 30 September 1983 (whole-time equivalent) were as follows:

Total *Top grade staff
Physicists 662 44
Biochemists 1,289 82
Clinical Psychologists 1,307 72
* included in total.