Immobilisation Of Ambulances

EDM number 261 in 1989-90, proposed by Harry Cohen on 09/01/1990.

That this House condemns the action of Senior Health Service Management on 8th January in taking away the motor bays from all but two ambulances at Whipps Cross Ambulance Station, Leytonstone; notes with grave concern that there were three emergency calls at the same time requiring ambulances in the area on the morning of 9th January and so condemns the management for callously placing at risk those in desperate need of ambulance assistance; further notes that because of management action at Whipps Cross and Buckhurst Hill ambulance depots there are now 35 ambulances without keys and only three with keys despite ambulance workers repeated preparedness to help in emergencies, notes that this 'keys away' policy will mean much unnecessary suffering and loss of lives in the event of a serious accident requiring swift, expert paramedical response; is further concerned that a fitter was told verbally to remove the rotor arms from ambulances to make them immobile but has refused to do so in the absence of a specific written instruction, and regards this as outright vandalism; and is aware that this life-threatening vandalism is being carried out at the behest and on the behalf of the Conservative Government.

This motion has been signed by a total of 50 MPs.