§ 34. Mr. Hardyasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that at Orpington, Epsom and Ewell, Banstead, Welwyn and Surbiton, ex-Civil Defence ambulance workers have now been taken over by the local authorities operating an ambulance service; that the staff are required to work 24 hours on and 24 hours off duty for Civil Defence rates of pay; why these employees are not being paid the appropriate National Joint Council rates for a 48-hour week; and what steps he is taking, as it is unfair for patients to place their lives in the hands of persons who have to undertake such long spells of continuous duty.
§ Mr. BevanI was not previously aware of the facts stated by my hon. Friend, but the matter is one in which I have no power to intervene.