HC Deb 16 November 1939 vol 353 cc828-9
72. Major Sir Jocelyn Lucas

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that on Saturday nth November, a man was knocked down at about 7.30 p.m., by a motor cycle, at Hyde Park Corner, only 70 yards from St. George's Hospital; that he was left lying in the road for approximately 25 minutes before an ambulance arrived; and whether, in view of the importance of the time factor in such cases, which are not isolated, he will arrange that when regular ambulances are not at the moment available use should be made of the London County Council Auxiliary Ambulance Service to the advantage of all concerned, and whether, in the case in question, a stretcher could not have been used?

Mr. Elliot

I am considering a report which I have received from the London County Council in this matter and will inform my hon. Friend of the result, but in the meantime I may say that I understand from the report that an ambulance arrived on the scene of the accident seven minutes after the receipt from a police officer of a call for an ambulance at the Westminster Control and Report Centre.

Sir J. Lucas

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there are very considerable delays before the arrival of ambulances, and that a similar case outside the same hospital has recently come to my notice, when a man had to wait 20 minutes?

Mr. Elliot

I will give an answer to my hon. and gallant Friend as soon as possible after examining the facts.