§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what costs are to be levied on local health auhorities towards the cost of Army and police services during the ambulance dispute; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe additional cost of military and police assistance incurred by health authorities during the ambulance dispute are still being assessed. The cost of all non-military assistance is being met by the various health authorities which have contracted for those services and which have been responsible for negotiating locally the terms of such contracts. The cost of military assistance, which stem partly from the training and general preparation needed to achieve a state of readiness across the country, is being apportioned among regional health authorities in line with their share of main revenue allocations.