HC Deb 09 February 1977 vol 925 c1419
10. Miss Joan Lestor

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations he has had on the working of the Road Traffic Acts.

Mr. Horam

We are continually receiving views on road traffic law.

Miss Lestor

May I remind my hon. Friend of the correspondence that I have had with his Department about the anxiety of some ambulance drivers in my area over the application of the Road Traffic Acts to the ambulance service? Are any other authorities expressing this anxiety, particularly in relation to shortage of staff and emergency services?

Mr. Horam

No. We have no evidence that other authorities are expressing anxiety on this point. We have had no specific correspondence from other authorities, so I cannot substantiate my hon. Friend's point. We are aware of the problem. Essentially, the Department of Health and Social Security is responsible, and it believes that the system of applying the drivers' hours legislation to ambulance drivers is broadly correct. It is, in the main, a regular service, which is rostered in the normal way. It is felt to be satisfactory at the moment. I ask my hon. Friend to take up the matter with the DHSS if she feels that the situation is still unsatisfactory.