To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost in both cash and in man hours to his Department in providing alternative civilian cover during the ambulance dispute (a) to the most recent convenient date and (b) projected for the period from the commencement and termination of the period of cover.
Up to 31 January 1990, extra costs in the region of £3·5 million arising from service participation in the provision of accident and emergency cover during the ambulance dispute have been identified for recovery from the Department of Health, the Scottish Home and Health Department and the Welsh Office. Up to 6 March 1990 a total of about 1·1 million service man hours had been deployed.It would not be practicable to make projections either of extra costs or of man hours because the timing of the final withdrawal of service assistance will depend on the outcome of the ballot of ambulance staff and, if the decision is to accept the management offer, the arrangements which are made in different areas for a return to normal working.