HC Deb 09 July 1991 vol 194 cc336-7W
Mr. Butler

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give the percentage change in the number of administrative and clerical staff in the national health service in England between September 1979 and the latest available date.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

Between 30 September 1979 and 30 September 1990 the number of administrative and clerical staff, including managerial staff, in the hospital and community health services in England increased by 26 per cent. to 129,700 whole-time equivalents. Within this overall rise, the greatest increase was among staff who work in direct support of clinicians whose numbers rose by 269 per cent. to 40,620 whole-time equivalents.