§ Mr. Sternasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list those district health authorities which have recognised the Association of Professional Ambulance Personnel.
§ Mr. WhitneyThe information is as follows:
- Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
- Gloucester
136 - Hull
- Oxfordshire
- Preston
- Somerset
- Swindon
- West Berkshire and Medway (in those ambulance stations where the association has substantial membership).
§ Mr. Sternasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what advice he has given to district health authorities in connection with recognition of the Association of Professional Ambulance Personnel.
§ Mr. WhitneyRegional health authorities were informed on 21 January 1985 that it is the Government's view that staff ought to be able to be represented by organisations of their choice. Individual health authorities are free to recognise the association locally, and we have encouraged a number of district health authorities to grant recognition where the association has demonstrated significant local membership. We have also made it clear that we expect authorities, where the association has a membership of 10 per cent. or more of the relevant work force, to grant the facility whereby members' contributions to the association are deducted at source.