§ Mr. Lawrenceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to implement the recommendation of the Employment and Social Services Sub-Committee of the Expenditure Committee that a working party should be established to consider the subject of a reduction in the retirement age for ambulance men.
§ Mr. DeakinsThe Select Committee recommendation has been referred to the appropriate trade unions for their views on how they would wish to proceed. When these have been received we can consider in consultation with them and other interested parties how best to take the recommendation further.
§ Mr. Lawrenceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he considers the ambulance service to be an emergency service in line with the police and the fire service.
§ Mr. DeakinsThe ambulance service is an integral part of the NHS, its functions including emergency service which in 1976 accounted for about one-tenth of the mileage run by the ambulance service.