Mr. John David TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many full-time fire stations there are in Northern Ireland; what is the size of population served by each of these stations; what is the size of population served by Newtownards fire station; and when he proposes to provide a complete full-time unit in Newtownards.
§ Mr. NeedhamThere are seven full-time fire stations in Northern Ireland — six in Belfast and one in Londonderry.
The six Belfast stations service a population of approximately 300,000. The Londonderry station services a population of approximately 63,000. The Newtownards retained fire station services a population of approximately 28,000.
The Fire Authority for Northern Ireland completed its review of fire cover in Northern Ireland in 1986. The review recommended an enhancement of fire services throughout the province, including a one pump full-time fire station in Newtownards. The fire authority has embarked on the first phase of a development programme providing for a number of new fire stations. Newtownards is not included in this first phase, but on its completion in the early 1990s the Newtownards position will be considered again in the light of circumstances prevailing at that time.