CAB128-94_A1b — Page 255

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announcement of its full impact. The House might find it equally discourteous if it learned of the Government response from the PCA's report rather than directly from the Secretary of State.

THE PRIME MINISTER, summing up the discussion, said that the Cabinet recognised the risk of protest if the report was not published ahead of the statement. On the other hand, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry should not be deprived of the opportunity to make his statement to the best possible Offect. In consultation with colleagues concerned, the Lord

Resident of the Council should consider further the timing of

various statements to be made that day, bearing in mind the Ants made in the Cabinet's discussion.

The Cabinet -

Took note, with approval, of the Prime Minister's summing up of the discussion and invited the Lord President to

accordingly.

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Reference:

CC (89) 38.2

THE SECRETARY

There had

FOR HEALTH said that a difficult situation continued. the Ambulance Service dispute. been a flurry of aty the previous day following an approach he had received from Mr Jerry Hayes MP, Chairman of the Conservative Backbench beth Committee, but this had not revealed any extended backbench support for a change in the management position. No there any great public unease over the continuing stalemate the dispute, although in their treatment of it the broadcasting media continued to appear to favour the ambulance worker this situation, it was very difficult to put across the moment case effectively.

There had been no move at all in the demands made by the National Union of Public Employees (NUPE). They continued to press for an 11.4 per cent pay dea? over 12 months, together with pay review arrangements on a par with those in the Fire Service. The National Health Service (NHS) could not afford to settle at any level which might foreseeably acceptable to the Union. For its part, NHS management was offering a pay deal worth a minimum of 9 per cent over 18 months (1.8 per cent in London) with increases of up to 16.3 per cent for fully trained paramedic staff in London. The results of a

The results of a pot of members of the Association of Professional Ambulance Persoal (APAP) on the offer should be announced the following day tough its acceptance had been recommended by the Association's negotiators, it seemed likely that the offer would be rejected.

ted.

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