To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people employed by (a) his Department and (b) the National Health Service earn (i) less than £3.20 per hour, (ii) between £3.20 and £3.60 per hour, (iii) between £3.60 and £4 per hour and (iv) between £4 and £4.62 per hour. [30746]

[holding answer 23 February 1998]: At present there are no staff employed by the Department of Health who earn less than £3.60 per hour. 135 members of staff are paid between £3.60 and £4 an hour, and 140 staff are paid between £4 and £4.62 an hour.For the National Health Service generally, I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the right hon. Member for Wokingham (Mr. Redwood) on 12 January 1998,