HC Deb 13 May 1994 vol 243 cc265-6W
Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when his Department informed NHS trusts in Wales that they would be required to absorb the pay award to nurses, doctors and midwives in 1994–95.

Mr. Gwilym Jones

Following the Government's acceptance of the recommendations of the review bodies on the 1994–95 pay increases to doctors, dentists, nurses and midwives and the profession supplementary to medicine, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health, in a press release on 3 February, made it clear that we looked to the NHS to fund this award through improved efficiency and productivity, allowing the extra money for the NHS announced in the Budget to go directly to patient services. This press release was circulated to NHS trusts in Wales and discussed with their chief executives at a meeting on 15 February.