HC Deb 12 December 1989 vol 163 c633W
Mr. Pike

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received regarding the quota system operated by Lancashire ambulance service.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

[pursuant to her reply, 6 December 1989, c. 276]: A representation regarding the system of quotas introduced in 1986 by the Lancashire ambulance service for non-urgent journeys was made in a letter from the hon. Member dated 25 October 1989. I have replied to that letter and I regret that, through an oversight, my earlier reply did not refer to this representation.

Mrs. Gorman

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has any plans to review the organisation of the ambulance service.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

Health authorities are reviewing their management arrangements taking into account the proposals set out in the White Paper, "Working for Patients" (Cm. 555).

132. Mr. Hardy

To ask the Secretary of State for Health in how many areas has there been either a shortage of ambulance staff or a reliance upon overtime working during the last 12 months.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

The information requested is not collected centrally and could not be obtained except at disproportionate cost.

113. Mr. Spearing

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make an official visit to the Plaistow ambulance station.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

No.