News Release

23rd May 2006

AMBULANCE WRITTEN STATEMENT REQUEST

There now follows the text of the Point of Order made to the Speaker by Michael Fabricant yesterday.

Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. As you may know, all 12 Members of Parliament in Staffordshire-Labour and Conservative-oppose the merger of the Staffordshire ambulance service with the West Midlands ambulance service.

Last week, the Secretary of State for Health wrote to all Members of Parliament. In her note, she said that the Staffordshire ambulance service would be reprieved from the merger for 'up to 24 months'. When the Minister of State, Department of Health, the hon. Member for Leigh (Andy Burnham), made his statement in the House he was questioned closely about the matter, but he neither confirmed nor denied that the merger would take place within 24 months. Now we hear that there may have been a drafting error in the Secretary of State's letter, which is causing great confusion among Members and people who work in the ambulance service. This is more of a shambles than at the Home Office, and that is saying something.

Is it possible, Mr. Speaker, for the Minister or the Secretary of State to make a written statement before the recess to clarify once and for all whether the Staffordshire ambulance service is to be merged with the West Midlands service?

Mr. Speaker: The appropriate Minister will have heard what the hon. Gentleman has just said. There is nothing to stop him tabling a parliamentary question to seek clarification of the matter-as he has already done-and perhaps after the recess week the hon. Gentleman might apply for an Adjournment debate.