HC Deb 12 July 1960 vol 626 cc1161-2
23. Mr. Dempsey

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that a fatal accident occurred on Tuesday, 5th July, in which a 24-year old Airdrie girl was killed and two others seriously injured, and that the ambulance service was notified at 10.58 a.m. but did not arrive until 12.14 p.m.; and, in view of this and other examples of the unsatisfactory nature of the ambulance service, if he will now order that a public inquiry be held into the management of the ambulance service.

Mr. Maclay

I should like to express my sympathy with the relatives of the girl who was killed and with those who were injured. My inquiries show that the ambulance authorities were not notified until 12.4 p.m., and the ambulance left for the accident at 12.5 p.m.—one minute later. Inquiries into the reasons for the delay in notifying the ambulance authorities of the accident are not yet complete.

Mr. Dempsey

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the information appearing on the Order Paper has been carefully checked and found to be quite accurate? Does not he realise that even the Scottish Sunday Mail published a chapter of unfortunate incidents in connection with this ambulance service and that the secretary of the Transport and General Workers' Union in Scotland said that an inquiry would serve a useful purpose? In view of this—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech."]—this is a very serious matter—

Mr. Speaker

Order. It may be a serious matter, but I hope that the hon. Gentleman will get on with his supplementary question.

Mr. Dempsey

Is the Minister aware that further disclosures have come to light? In the interests of the Scottish public, will he order an inquiry into this unsatisfactory ambulance service?

Mr. Maclay

I do not accept what the hon. Gentleman has been saying. In many cases which I have already investigated the problem has been one of notification and not of action by the ambulance service. If the hon. Gentleman has any further evidence and will write to me I shall be glad to receive it, but by and large we find that the ambulance service moves very fast once notification has been received.

Mr. Dempsey

In view of the most unsatisfactory reply of the right hon. Gentleman, I wish to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.