To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the extent of his responsibilities for the South Yorkshire ambulance service. [39445]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has statutory responsibility to provide ambulance services in England such as he considers necessary to meet all reasonable requirements. Subject to this overall responsibility, the operation of ambulance services in South Yorkshire is a matter for the board of the South Yorkshire metropolitan ambulance and paramedic service national health service trust.