§ 24. Mr. Maclennanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to improve the ambulance service in the Highlands of Scotland.
§ Mr. MillanThe arrangements for providing ambulances in all parts of the country are reviewed frequently by the Joint Central Committee of the Scottish Ambulance Service. If my hon. Friend has any particular point I shall be glad to look into it.
§ Mr. MaclennanI thank my hon. Friend for that reply. However, will he look at the cumbersome procedures for obtaining helicopter ambulance services in the remoter parts of the Highlands? Will he also consider whether or not the present system of sub-contracting the ambulance service to local operators is working adequately?
§ Mr. MillanOn the first point, I will look into the matter. On the second, there are occasional difficulties, but it is often necessary to work through subcontractors in remoter areas. There was a little difficulty in Thurso recently, as my hon. Friend knows, but that was put right—I hope to his satisfaction.