Written Answers
The London Ambulance Service: Overtime Reductions
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will intervene to prevent proposals which will seriously curtail London's ambulance service, reducing—via overtime reductions—cover of out-patient journeys; the manning of "sitting case" vehicles on overtime on Sundays; the manning of non-front line vehicles on Saturdays; and the vehicles working for single hospitals as routine or standby.
In general the Government support action by NHS management to curb overspending, reduce excessive overtime and provide more cost-effective services. I understand that the proposals for the London ambulance service are still being negotiated under disputes procedures, and it would be wholly inappropriate for me to comment at this stage.
The Road Traffic Acts: Imprisonable Offences
asked Her Majesty's Government:Which offences are imprisonable under the Road Traffic Acts.
A term of imprisonment may at the discretion of the courts be imposed for the following offences under the Road Traffic Acts:-
Road Traffic Act 1972
| Section 1 | Causing death by reckless driving |
| " 2 | Reckless driving |
| Section 5(1) | Driving or attempting to drive when unfit through drink or drugs |
| " 5(2) | Being in charge of a vehicle when unfit through drink or drugs |
| " 6(1) | Driving or attempting to drive with excess alcohol |
| " 6(2) | Being in charge of a motor vehicle with excess alochol |
| " 9(3) | Failing to provide a specimen for analysis (if driving, attempting to drive or in charge) |
| " 99(b) | Driving while disqualified |
| " 169(1) | Forgery, et cetera, of licences, test certificates, certificates of insurance and other documents and things (on indictment) |
| " 175 | Taking etc, in Scotland, a vehicle without authority, el cetera |
Road Traffic Regulation Act 1967
| Section 86 | Forgery of parking meter tickets, et cetera (on indictment) |
Road Traffic Act 1960
| Section 233(2) | Forgery, et cetera of documents (on indictment). |
The Rhine-Main-Danube Canal
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have a view on the desirability or otherwise of completing the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal; whether the project is or is not moving ahead; and, if it is, what rules are proposed for the regulation of East European shipping, and for the prevention of possible environmental, commercial and other damage to British and other West European interests.
The decision to proceed with the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal is entirely a matter for the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, which has recently announced its intention to provide funds with a view to completion of the link. The Central Rhine Commission, of which the United Kingdom is a member, has adopted an Additional Protocol to the Revised Convention for Rhine Navigation (Cmnd 8309) and is currently preparing a regulation under it dealing with Rhine "cabotage", defining those vessels which are deemed to belong to Rhine navigation and establishing their trading rights, in order to safeguard West European interests on the Rhine.
Amusement Centre: Queensway, London
asked Her Majesty's Government:Why the Secretary of State for the Environment allowed an appeal against the decision of the Westminster City Council that there should not be an "amusement centre" at 92 Queensway, London W2.
This appeal was determined not by the Secretary of State but by an Inspector appointed by him. The appeal was allowed following an inquiry on 19th-20th August 1982 and the reasons for the Inspector's decision are fully set out in his letter dated 23rd September. I am arranging for a copy of this decision letter to be sent to the noble Lord.