§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many student places have been confirmed for(a) local authority financed brigades and (b) industrial and overseas courses at the Fire Service college for the year beginning April 1992; how many student weeks each of these two categories represents; and if he will make a statement on the financial position of the college.
§ Mr. John PattenThree thousand, three hundred and forty eight places covering 13,019 student weeks have so far been confirmed for local authority fire brigades for the year from 1 April 1992. One hundred and sixty nine places covering 263 student weeks have been confirmed for the industrial and overseas sectors, others being held in reserve until the full demand from the local authority sector, the college's primary customer, is known and met. This position is consistent with the college's business plan, by which it aims to meet its expenditure wholly from income, provide high quality training and deliver good value for money.