HC Deb 17 June 1986 vol 99 cc521-2W
Mr. John Hunt

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many of the new recruits currently being trained at the London ambulance service headquarters training school will be allocated to the Bromley health authority area.

Mr. Whitney

Of the 32 recruits who started training on 9 June and who will be operational on 7 July, four are to be posted to Bromley. A further course is due to begin on 23 June and a trainee from that will also go to Bromley.

Mr. John Hunt

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he anticipates that the London ambulance service will be in a position to restore the reductions recently made in non-emergency provision within the area of the Bromley health authority; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Whitney

I regret that it is not possible to give a precise date but recruitment will continue and the South West Thames regional health authority is monitoring the position with the other Thames regions.

Mr. John Hunt

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the Bromley health authority was first informed of the offer by the London ambulance service to loan ambulances to health authorities, together with the cash for any drivers recruited locally; and how many such ambulances have been loaned in this way to the Bromley health authority.

Mr. Whitney

The facility to loan ambulances to health authorities has been available for many years. Bromley district health authority, however, did not use this until 1 May 1986 when it took one vehicle for use at the Phoenix centre. I understand it is currently considering whether to take further vehicles on loan.