§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the high additional cost of the fire services in Wales during the recent dry weather, he will seek ways of reimbursing the fire services for these exceptional costs from central Exchequer funds rather than from local rates.
§ Dr. SummerskillExpenditure on the fire service is relevant expenditure for the purpose of the rate support grant and my right hon. Friend has no power to make other payments to local authorities in respect of it.