§ Mr. ButlerTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it his policy to reduce the number of administrators in the National Health Service in Scotland below the level pertaining in 1979.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythWe keep tight control of the proportion of total health board revenue which is applied to management and administration; since 1979, it has fallen from 5.5 per cent. to 4.5 per cent. Many administrative staff work directly in support of clinical staff and make an important contribution to patient care. In addition, effective managers make a vital contribution to the efficiency of the Health Service.