§ MR. HUBBARD (Lambeth, Brixton)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any first aid was rendered to the wounded on the occasion of the disastrous collapse of a building in Orchard Street, Westminster, on the 21st ultimo, when a number of persons were injured, seven being killed; and, whether any steps can be taken by the Government to develop an efficient ambulance service for London?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENTThe men injured by this accident were removed 395 immediately to Westminster Hospital, only 350 yards distant. This was considered a better course than attempting to render first aid in the presence of a great and excited crowd. The five most seriously injured were, I am told, under treatment at the hospital within four minutes of the occurrence of the accident. Eight ambulances, from different police stations, and one horse ambulance arrived promptly on the scene, and of the 100 constables present, 70 were competent to render first aid. I have every reason to think that the police ambulance is thoroughly efficient.