§ Sir Ian LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps have been taken to ensure that the police and armed forces have made available to them for immediate use ambulances which are public property.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyIn the event of the 999 service being disrupted within any particular ambulance authority, it is open to the chief constable and local managers jointly to consider the use of NHS ambulances by police crews if, in their view, that would strengthen the contingency arrangements locally and improve the service to the public. Where the armed forces are deployed to assist in the provision of an emergency service, they use their own vehicles, which are adequately equipped and with which they are familiar.
§ Sir Ian LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that ambulances which are the property of local or other public authorities are not used in furtherance of the views of one party in the present dispute within the ambulance service.
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§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyIt is for local managers after considering all the circumstances to determine what action, if any, should be taken to prevent the use of NHS ambulances for unauthorised purposes.