asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the average weekly earnings of ambulancemen each year since 1979; and how many ambulancemen employed in the west midlands region have enrolled for the 12-month life-saving techniques courses arranged by the Government.

Estimates, derived from various sources for each year except 1982, of average gross weekly earnings (excluding London allowance) of all ambulancemen are as follows:

	£
June 1979	93.92
June 1980	129.95
June 1981	141.56
June 1983	153.55
June 1984	160.46
June 1985	*162.08
* Excluding the 1985–86 settlement which is still the subject of negotiations.

The courses are not arranged by the Government and the information relating to the west midlands region is not held centrally. The hon. Member may wish to write to the chairman of the west midlands regional health authority who may be able to provide the information requested.