§ Mr. IngramTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer on 17 January,Official Report, column 393, what estimates he has made of the additional costs, net of any reduction in employer's national insurance contributions, to her departmental budget for the financial year 1994–95 resulting from the changes in statutory sick pay provision.
§ Mr. SackvilleCurrent estimates suggest that the changes in statutory sick pay provision, offset by reductions in employer's national insurance contributions, will result in a net additional cost within the Department of some £50,000 in 1994–95. This additional cost will be absorbed within the Department's running costs of £253 million.