§ Mr. Roy Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps towards recognising the ambulance service as on an equivalent basis to the other emergency services such as the police and fire services, for purposes of pay and conditions.
§ Dr. VaughanThe ambulance service is recognised as an essential part of the emergency services although the duties undertaken by the various services are not the same. Pay and conditions for ambulance men and ambulance women are for negotiation by the Ambulancemen's Whitley Council.
§ Mr. Spellerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make arrangements to pay members of the ambulance service some form of increment or other payment in recognition of additional skills related to their profession which are acquired in their own time and at their own expense.
§ Dr. VaughanWe intend to review the general role of the ambulance service in the light of the report of the National Health Service working party on patient transport services, whose publication is expected shortly, and conclusions on this may also have a bearing on decisions about the skills required in the service. Training implications would be a matter for the National Staff Committee for Ambulance Staff. Any question of payment would be a matter for the Whitley Councils for ambulance staff who are responsible for negotiating pay and conditions of service.