asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many ambulances are available in each of the four board areas in Northern Ireland; and what plans he has to increase the number in the present financial year.

The information is as follows:

Area health and social services board				No. of ambulances
Eastern	…	…	…	110
Western	…	…	…	51
Southern	…	…	…	50
Northern	…	…	…	51

There are no plans to alter significantly the number of ambulances at present in use, but the requirements of the Eastern and Western health and social services boards are being reviewed.