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Emergency Workers (Obstruction) Bill

In discussions about the Bill, I was assured that its provisions would cover private ambulances working on behalf of the NHS and air ambulances. I have no doubt that if necessary, my hon. Friend the Minister will be able to expand on that interpretation. Amendment No. 5 would have the perverse—and, I am sure, unintended—effect of limiting the definition of emergency workers carrying equipment to those carrying medical equipment. However, other equipment—for example, rescue equipment—also needs to be carried. The equipment needed to deal with an emergency will vary according to the emergency, so that protection is needed. Amendment No. 12 would remove the power to add or delete provisions by order. One of the problems with yobbo groups in our society is that we never know who their next victim will be. I have received representations from mountain rescue groups and other organisations that want to be included in the provisions. An order would enable us to achieve that quickly without a full statute. I hope that explanation satisfies the hon. Member for Christchurch (Mr. Chope).