To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many practice nurses are based at general practitioners' surgeries at the current time; and what were the corresponding numbers for the previous five years (a) in the Bolton health authority area, (b) in the North West regional health authority area and (c) in England and Wales.

Information on the numbers of practice nurses employed by general practitioners under the ancillary staff scheme is given in the table. Figures are for England only; information in relation to family practitioner services in Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.