§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why the number of separate grades of ambulance personnel in the National Health Service has been increased to 100; if he will list the previous grades before this change; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenThere are six grades of ambulancemen including trainee. In addition to the chief ambulance officer there are six grades of ambulance officers and also three grades of control assistants. My reply to my hon. Friend on 26 January at columns700–1 referred to combinations of grade and area of work for all ambulance staff. The earlier figures included in my right 505W hon. and learned Friend's reply to my hon. Friend on 30 July 1982 at columns 850–51 included ambulance officers and control assistants with other administrative and clerical staff. The various grades are sub-divided by reference to area of work for statistical purposes.