§ Mr. Norman Hoggasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied with the provision of ambulance services in rural areas; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MacKayI am satisfied that the level of provision of ambulance services in rural areas is reasonable, given the extent of the demands placed upon the service in these areas and the distances which need to be covered in the remoter areas. Local levels of provision are reviewed as necessary in the light of changes in the pattern of demand.
§ Mr. Norman Hoggasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will set out the manpower and vehicular provision of the ambulance service in each of the new towns.
§ Mr. John MackayThe figures for manpower and vehicular provision are set out in the following table.
Ambulancemen Officers and other staff Ambulances Other vehicles Cumbernauld 6 * 4 — East Kilbride 31 2 12 1 Irvine new town (The station is located in Irvine) 32 4 12 2 Livingston 28 8 14 1 Glenrothes (There is no station in Glenrothes. The service is provided from Kirkcaldy for which details are shown) 32 10 16 1 * This station is controlled 24 hours a day from the Falkirk ambulance station and is served by mechanics from Motherwell and Falkirk.