HC Deb 20 February 1990 vol 167 cc709-10W
35. Mr. Rogers

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will now meet representatives of ambulance staff.

38. Ms. Primarolo

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will now meet representatives of ambulance staff.

83. Mr. Mullin

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will now meet representatives of ambulance staff.

100. Mr. Nellist

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will now meet representatives of ambulance staff.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

I refer the hon. Members to the reply my right hon. and learned Friend gave the hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner) on 23 January at columns655–56.

140. Mrs. Rosie Barnes

To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the National Health Service management board has any plans to meet representatives of the Association of Professional Ambulance Personnel to discuss the current ambulance dispute.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

No. The board would not expect to have meetings with any trades union on disputes about pay and conditions for any group of staff. Negotiations of pay of Whitley council groups is for the relevant Whitley council.

132. Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his current estimate of the costs arising out of the ambulance dispute.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

It is too soon to form a clear estimate of the costs arising out of the dispute. The cost of military involvement to the end of December 1989 was £1.8 million, although there will of course be offsetting savings on salaries and fuel costs from the normal service. Figures for assistance provided by the police have not yet been assessed by all the authorities concerned.

98. Mr. Janner

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received concerning the ambulance workers' dispute.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

We have received numerous recent representations concerning the ambulance workers' dispute.

57. Mr. Parry

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the ambulance workers' dispute.

114. Mr. Roy Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the present situation concerning the ambulance dispute; and if he will make a statement.

123. Mr. Harry Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the dispute in the ambulance service.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

NHS management has always wanted to have further talks with the unions on the basis of its final offer, provided the unions changed their position and did not simply repeat their demands for a high pay increase and a pay formula. I am pleased that the two sides are meeting this afternoon at ACAS. I hope that today's talks will bring about a swift resolution of this dispute.