asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will provide figures or estimates for the amount of Government expenditure on the hiring of private or agency nurses to provide cover for National Health Service shortfalls.

The annual accounts of health authorities in England record all their expenditure on the employment of non-National Health Service (agency etc.) nursing staff in total only. The summarised accounts for 1986–87, as yet unaudited. show this expenditure as £70,787,525.