§ Mr. Spenceasked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the fact that some authorities treat ambulance drivers, for purpose of working hours, as if they were goods vehicle drivers to whom the Goods Vehicles Acts 1968 and 1972 apply, he will take steps to remove ambulance drivers from the constraints of these Acts ; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FowlerMost ambulance driving is in fact routine work, conveying non-emergency578W patients and goods—stretchers, oxygen cylinders and so on. For this reason they are classified as goods vehicles for the purpose of the drivers' hours rules in the Transport Act 1968. However, the law does provide for relaxation of the drivers' hours rules in cases of emergency and ambulance drivers may take advantage of these if they have to deal with such cases during the course of their duty. There is no evidence that service to patients has ever suffered from this position.