§ 88. Mr. ChapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his latest estimate of the percentage of the total cost of the National Health Service which is allocated to salaries and wages; and what was the overall average percentage increase in salaries and wages in the last 12 months.
§ Mr. NewtonThe summarised accounts of regional and district health authorities in England for 1986–87 (the latest year available) show that 74.5 per cent. of their total revenue expenditure was incurred on gross salaries and wages costs (including employer's national insurance and superannuation contributions and expenditure on non-National Health Service, agency, etc., staff). Between 1985–86 and 1986–87 health authorities' total expenditure on salaries and wages increased in cash terms by 8.0 per cent. Equivalent information for 1987–88 will not be available until the autumn.