To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance she has issued to NHS trusts with regard to the specifications of contracts for ambulance and patient transport services and the minimum levels of training required for ambulance personnel.

Guidance on contracts was included in "Health Service Guidelines (HSG(91)29): Ambulance and other patient transport services—Operation, use and performance standards". Subsequent circulars FDL(92)82 and FDL(93)07 set out the finance arrangements recommended to those contracting for non-emergency patient transport services. Further guidance on these matters is to be issued very shortly. Copies of guidelines and circulars are available in the Library.The level of training given to ambulance personnel will depend on the nature of their duties. For example, ambulance paramedics must, as a minimum, achieve the standards currently set by the national health service training directorate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the policy of her Department with regard to the maximum geographical area which can appropriately be covered by one ambulance service.

There is no restriction on the area for which an ambulance service may tender for service contracts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations have been received by her Department from groups representing private ambulance operators, with regard to the need for increased regulation or self-regulation of such operators.

Representations have been received from a number of organisations representing private ambulance services. A representative of one organisation had discussions with the Department of Health's ambulance policy advisory group earlier this year. The advisory group has agreed a code of practice for prospective purchasers and providers setting out minimum standards for non-national health service patient transport services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS trusts in each regional health authority in England and Wales presently have one or more contracts with private operators for ambulance or patient transport services.