§ Q168. Mr. Tim SmithTo ask the Prime Minister if she will make a statement about the ambulance dispute.
§ The Prime MinisterIt is a matter of great regret that ambulance staff are refusing to do non-emergency work and in many cases not maintaining an adequate accident and emergency service as the unions have promised. The National Health Service chief executive has put forward an excellent basis for a settlement. This includes an increase of 9 per cent. on basic rates, with 11.8 per cent. for qualified staff in the London ambulance service, and an additional annual payment of £500 for fully trained paramedical staff. The unions should return to the negotiating table.