§ Lord Dean of Beswickasked Her Majesty's Government:
(a) What was the financial turnover for the National Health Service Supplies Authority in its first year of operation; (b) what is the scale of salaries and what are the conditions of service of the officers appointed to manage the organisation; and (c) what remuneration and terms of appointment apply to the chairman, the non-executive directors and executive directors.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Cumberlege)The National Health Service Supplies Authority was established in October 1991 but has only recently assumed full operational responsibility for all supply matters. Accordingly, its annualised turnover for the current financial year will be £510 million, plus an additional £3,000 million for goods and services procured on behalf of customers which are delivered and invoiced directly to them.
As a Special Health Authority, staff salaries and terms and conditions of employment within NHS Supplies are in line with Department of Health arrangements for health authorities generally. The executive directors are responsible for the operational management of the authority.
The chairman was appointed for a two-year term to 30th September 1993 and receives £20,925 per annum. The non-executive directors were appointed on a four-year term until September 1995 and receive an annual remuneration (taxable and non-pensionable) of £5,000.