§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of ambulance service work is involved in dealing with emergencies; and how this is reflected in current pay levels.
§ Mr. John PattenNine per cent. of the total number of patient journeys by road made by ambulance services in England in 1983 were emergency cases. Emergencies are dealt with by staff in the grades of qualified ambulanceman and leading ambulanceman, who are paid higher rates than staff who are employed exclusively on transporting patients not requiring full ambulance care.