HC Deb 08 January 2002 vol 377 c622W
Dr. Cable

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many times the London Ambulance Service called on the services of the(a) St. John Ambulance and (b) British Red Cross Society to assist in (i) 1994, (ii) 1995, (iii) 1996, (iv) 1997, (v) 1998, (vi) 1999 and (vii) 2000; and if he will make a statement. [20621]

Ms Blears

Figures are not held for the number of times the London Ambulance Service have called upon the individual services of St. John's Ambulance and the British Red Cross Society between 1994 and 2000.

Dr. Evan Harris

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to evaluate the pilot of body armour being conducted by the London Ambulance Service. [20833]

Ms Blears

The pilot of body armour for London Ambulance Service frontline staff was completed during the summer and the results have been evaluated by the national health service trust. The evaluation shows that the majority of staff feel more confident in dealing with volatile incidents when wearing the garments, and that wearing stab vests does not hinder staffs ability to provide clinical care. The London Ambulance Service had pledged to provide stab vests to all frontline staff.