CAB128-94_A1b — Page 202

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those haemophiliacs who were in actual financial need because of their HIV infection. This would not involve any admission of negligence or create any difficult precedent. Same changes might be required to the Trust Deed and he would be meeting the Trustees later that day to put his proposals to them. A number of detailed questions concerning, for example, the resourcing of the arrangements and their impact on the legal aid eligibility of the haemophiliacs suing his Department remained to be resolved. He hoped, however, to settle these points in time to

ake an announcement by written Parliamentary answer either

ter that day or shortly thereafter, which if it could not deal all the details of the proposed arrangement, would at least But what he proposed in broad terms.

Cabinet

Took note.

ONFIDENTIAL

Industrial Action in the Ambulance

Service

Previous

Reference:

CC(89) 34.2

CO

The

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR HEALTH said that the industrial action by ambulance workers appeared to be spreading. The Union's objectives to achieve a complete withdrawal of the Union's objectiv non-emergency ambiance service, apart from some cases covered by Trade Union Congress (TUC) guidelines. The response to 999 calls was generally maintained, but it did not in all cases cover the full

range of urgent admissions. Armed Forces were at present providing accident and emergency services in London and Hertfordshire.

fordshire. The situation elsewhere was changing from Pay to day, as the Unions sought to put pressure on local management and it was impossible to be certain how things might develop particular areas. The Armed Forces were on standby in a number of areas, notably the West Midlands and Essex. Generally speaking, however, an adequate accident and emergency service was being provided throughout the country.

November. He tee for staff

Attempts had been made to find a basis upon which detailed negotiations could take place in the Whitley Council. The Chief Executive of the National Health Service QNES had met the national officers of the Trade Union side on had proposed a 9 per cent increase in basic outside London to cover the 18 month period from April 1989 to 30 September 1990. The increase over the earlier.5 per cent offer would be financed by extending the settleme period. For staff in the London Ambulance Service the increase would range from 10.9 to 12.1 per cent, with 11.8 per cent for qualified ambulance men and women, who were the vast majority addition, the Chief Executive had proposed an extra 1500 ber year for staff with paramedical skills, which would be handed from new resources. This would lift the level of increase

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