§ 19. Mr. John Cryer (Hornchurch)What plans he has to review the Fire Services Act 1947. [40281]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. George Howarth)My hon. Friend will be aware that we recently received the community fire safety task force recommendation, and work to implement its implications is on-going. We hope to make a lot of progress in this area.
§ Mr. CryerWill my hon. Friend look again at the idea of having a complete review of the 1947 Act? A review would mean that the special services performed by the fire service would be taken into account and more resources would be provided for it, which would mean that current resources would be ensured for ever and a day.
§ Mr. HowarthMy hon. Friend will appreciate that the fire service share of total standard spending for England in 1998–99 has been increased by 4.8 per cent., which compares favourably with the previous three years, when it was 4.2 per cent., 1.5 per cent. and zero per cent. I intend that the priorities of the fire brigade should be properly reflected. In the spirit of central and local partnerships, we are discussing with fire authorities and others the difficulties faced by the fire brigade, but my hon. Friend can rest assured that this service, which performs well, will be given proper priority by the Government.