HL Deb 15 December 1982 vol 437 c706WA
Lord Molloy

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will intervene to prevent proposals which will seriously curtail London's ambulance service, reducing—via overtime reductions—cover of out-patient journeys; the manning of "sitting case" vehicles on overtime on Sundays; the manning of non-front line vehicles on Saturdays; and the vehicles working for single hospitals as routine or standby.

Lord Trefgarne

In general the Government support action by NHS management to curb overspending, reduce excessive overtime and provide more cost-effective services. I understand that the proposals for the London ambulance service are still being negotiated under disputes procedures, and it would be wholly inappropriate for me to comment at this stage.