§ Mr. Thompsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many job opportunities for ambulance men will be lost due to the cut-back in outpatients' ambulance services at the Southern General Hospital, Glasgow;
(2) what is the approximate number of outpatients using the outpatients' ambulance service at the Southern General Hospital, Glasgow; and what proportion of these will be affected by the decision to cut back on this service.
§ Mr. Harry EwingGlasgow South Ambulance Depot, whose main reference hospital is the Southern General, is responsible for transporting about 77,000 outpatients annually. The Management Committee of the Common Services Agency has considered the financial situation of the service and has agreed that a detailed examination will be made of its use of resources with a view to effecting such economies as will allow the present level of services to patients who need ambulance transport to be maintained. Consultation will take place with the trade unions concerned before any proposed measures that might affect the interests of their members are taken.