View report page

68
METROPOLITAN AMBULANCE SERVICE.
The General Powers Bill of the London County Council passed the
third reading in the House of Lords on 16th July. The Ambulance
Clauses (23, 24 and 25) had been struck out by the Select Committee on
the ground of the inadequacy of the scheme proposed by the Council.
The City Corporation opposed the clauses on the ground that they, and
not the County Council, should have power to deal with such a matter in
the City itself.
The Secretary of State has decided to appoint a Committee to inquire
what steps should be taken with a view to providing a service for dealing
with cases of accident and illness occurring in the streets.
A Committee of three has now been appointed, viz., Sir Kenelm
Digby, G.C.B., K.C. (Chairman), who may be regarded as representing
the Home Office and the Metropolitan Police, Sir William Collins,
M.D., M.P., representing the County Council, and the Earl of Stamford,
who, as a former Manager, and member of the Ambulance Committee,
may be held to represent the Metropolitan Asylums Board, with its
unequalled experience as ambulance authority. The reference to the
Committee is, " to inquire as to the provision made for dealing with cases
of accident and sudden illness occurring in streets and public places within
the Metropolis, and to report."
I understand that an ambulance service for the Corporation of the
City of London will come into operation early in the year 1907, and that
motor vehicles are to be employed.