§ 72. Mr. Robert Atkinsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what response he has had to his instructions to health authorities to recognise the Association of Professional Ambulance Personnel for industrial relations purposes.
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§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeLocal recognition is a matter for the health authorities concerned, but we have made it clear to several health authorities that staff have the right to be represented by the organisations of their own choice.
The granting of facilities for the deduction of subscriptions at source is a matter solely for Ministers to decide. We have written to 12 health authorities where the association has claimed substantial local membership, asking them to grant this facility. Five of the 12 have now granted it and a further two are in process of finalising the arrangements. In three authorities, the claimed membership has not yet been substantiated and the remaining two authorities still have our request under consideration.
I understand that the association is now seeking similar facilities in three further health authority areas.