§ 20. Mr. CanavanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the future of the Scottish ambulance service.
§ Mr. Allan StewartThe Scottish ambulance service has applied to become an NHS trust in order to improve further the services that it provides to patients. Its application is at present subject to public consultation which will be completed by 18 August. A decision on the application will be taken thereafter by my right hon. Friend on whether to approve NHS trust status in light of all the comments received in response to the consultation process.