In the light of the Minister's very disappointing reply, which is quite obvious in regard to a non-commitment of funding for further services, would he not agree that from the point of view of resuscitation in cases of cardiac arrest that a two hours minimum waiting period for ambulance service is totally intolerable, that this is very much the prevalent waiting period within large sections of the existing rural health board areas and that, therefore, from the point of view of treating collapsed patients ECG facilities should be made available at such centres which are inadequately equipped to deal with such emergencies?

I do not know whether the Deputy was listening to my reply but in relation to the question he asked I pointed out that there are developments in this area. I should like to point out that as a result of the new general medical service there will be a whole range of benefits available to doctors, including a development fund, to support them in their practice of medicine.

On the question of the delays in the ambulance service, if there is a specific case the Deputy wants me to raise I will be glad to do so. I will raise with the health boards the general question of the waiting period for ambulance services. Obviously if a patient needs an ambulance urgently it is important that an ambulance be available. I have had no complaints that there is a general waiting time which is unacceptable. If occasionally there is a specific complaint about an individual case I pursue it, and I will be glad to do this for the Deputy if he has a specific case in mind.