asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many (a) female and (b) male ancillary workers were made redundant in the National Health Service in 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1984, respectively;(2) how many jobs held by women workers have been lost in the National Health Service since May 1979.

We do not collect the information requested centrally. However, between 1 April 1984 and 31 March 1985, 578 female and 267 male ancillary workers aged 50 or over with at least five years service qualified for early payment of retirement benefits on leaving the National Health Service because of premature retirement or redundancy.