§ Mr. Robin CookTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his most up-to-date information on which police authorities are involved in providing ambulance services; and what is the number of man hours provided by each police authority.
§ Mr. Peter LloydThe readily available information is that up to 12 January police forces had provided approximately the number of man hours shown in the table in assisting the ambulance service in their areas. Derbyshire ceased providing assistance on 3 January.
Approximate number of man hours Man hours Bedfordshire 23,900 Cheshire 1,500 Derbyshire 7,000 Dorset 14,800 Essex 2,000 Hampshire 8,500 Hertfordshire 40,000 Lincolnshire 2,900 Northumbria 27,600 South Yorkshire 38,500 Staffordshire 9,800 Surrey 1,700 Thames Valley 1,000 Warwickshire 1,300 West Mercia 14,500 West Midlands 54,500 West Yorkshire 29,200 I understand that in the Metropolitan police district about 460 officers are usually employed in each 24-hour period assisting the ambulance service.
§ Mr. PendryTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the acting chief378W constable of the West Midlands as to the cost per police man hour of deploying the police on ambulance duties within the West Midlands police district.
§ Mr. Peter LloydI understand that in the West Midlands the basic cost per officer per hour is about £16.60. Additionally charges for vehicle running costs, accommodation and overheads will be made.