§ Mr. Woodburnasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the apprehensions in the medical profession against the present practice of adapting heavy motor vehicles as ambulances for the conveyance of war-time casualties; whether 1760W he is further aware that a number of medical officers of health and air-raid precautions authorities have condemned these vehicles as unsuitable for the purpose intended; that the cost of compensation and the cost of adaptation of these heavy vehicles is greater than the capital cost involved in the purchase of new trailer ambulances; and whether he will give instructions to permit trailer ambulances to supplant unsuitable motor vehicles and relieve these for the needs of road transport?
§ Miss HorsbrughI am aware that some of the vehicles on which local authorities have had to rely for ambulances at the outset of the emergency require to be replaced by more suitable vehicles. My right hon. Friend agrees that it is desirable, on grounds of economy, to eliminate as far as possible the cost of hiring commercial vehicles for the ambulance service, and he has recently authorised local authorities to purchase vehicles, but not necessarily trailers, in substitution for hired vehicles. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the relevant circular.