§ 2.57 p.m.
§ LORD BROOKE OF CUMNORMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have considered the Report and recommendations of the Departmental Committee on the Fire Service; and whether they can make a statement.]
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE, HOME OFFICE (LORD WINDLESHAM)My Lords, I hope that I shall not be out of order if I preface my reply by saying how pleased we are to see the noble Lord 104 in his place, apparently none the worse after his unfortunate accident last night.
Her Majesty's Government are indebted to Sir Ronald Holroyd and his colleagues for this wide-ranging and challenging Report on the technical and organisational problems presented by fire. They endorse the Committee's conclusions that the operational efficiency of the Fire Service, in terms of attendance and performance, is highly satisfactory, that the Service should remain under local authorities' control, and that recruitment should continue to be based on the principle of one-tier entry; but that fire-fighting must be regarded as a last resort and that the best hope of limiting the rising losses of life and property lies in the improvement of fire prevention techniques by the application of research and the development of education and training both inside and outside the Fire Service. Her Majesty's Government have been studying the specific recommendations of the Committee which are directed to this end, but will form no detailed conclusions without full consultation with the local authority and Service associations. These will be undertaken as soon as all concerned are ready.
§ LORD BROOKE OF CUMNORMy Lords, may I thank my noble friend for that Answer, and also for his kind reference to myself and my minor mishap. In view of the fact that property losses by fire now exceed £100 million a year, over and above the mortality, may I ask whether the Government will take this important Report very seriously indeed? In particular, will they act on the Committee's recommendation that the proposals for modernising fire prevention legislation should be enacted as quickly as possible?
§ LORD WINDLESHAMYes, my Lords. The views of the noble Lord are well respected in the Home Office, and close attention will be paid to what he says.
§ LORD LEATHERLANDMy Lords, would the noble Lord give us some assurance that there will be no reduction in fire cover standards, especially in view of the hint in paragraph 358 of the Report? Secondly, is he able to tell us whether it is intended to use fire brigade personnel for fire prevention work, as indicated in paragraph 383?
§ LORD WINDLESHAMMy Lords, Her Majesty's Government would not wish to get involved in answering detailed questions of that sort at this stage. As I mentioned, consultation with the relevant interests and with the associations is just beginning.