§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the management overhead as a percentage of the total budget of the national health service in each year since 1990–91.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThe gross salary costs of general and senior managers as a percentage of the total hospital and community health services revenue expenditure in 1990–91, 1991–92 and 1992–93 was 1.7, 1.9 and 2.4 respectively. The figures need to be treated with caution. The number of managers has been deliberately increased since the mid 1980s—not just since the reforms—because the service was previously undermanaged. Much of the increase arises from the reclassification of existing staff, including many senior nurses, as managers. General and senior managers account for only 2 per cent. of the total national health service work force in England.