§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures will be taken to improve the ambulance fleet in Northern Ireland. [18133]
§ Mr. WorthingtonIn recognition of the particular problems faced by the ambulance service, the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service Trust has received a further allocation of £500,000 in the current financial year in addition to its normal capital provision of £500,000 for urgent replacement of ambulance vehicles. The Trust has also been permitted to draw on £200,000 of its 1998–99 capital allocation to supplement those resources. In addition, the Trust is presently drawing up proposals for a major ambulance replacement programme to be tested for a private partnership under PFI. These measures should make a significant difference to the state of the ambulance fleet but I will keep the matter under review.