§ Sir W. Wakefieldasked the Minister of Health in what circumstances he authorises persons to be taken to hospital by ambulance on payment and without payment, respectively; and what are the reasons for such discrimination.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThe provision of transport in accordance with the duty placed on local health authorities by Section 27 of the National Health Service Act, 1946, is without payment. In addition, the National Health Service (Amendment) Act, 1957, empowers them to 179W make ambulances, and other transport which they themselves provide, available for use, on repayment, for the conveyance of persons suffering from illness, in circumstances in which they do not already have that duty. These have been explained to local health authorities in Circular 12/57 sent to them on 30th July, 1957. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the circular.