HC Deb 30 October 1995 vol 265 cc77-8W
Mr. Murphy

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the future of the fire services in Wales. [39584]

Mr. Kirkhope

The long-standing proposal to establish three brigades in Wales following local government reorganisation from next April is based on clear and unequivocal professional advice from Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire Services and from the Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers' Association. After careful consideration of the comments made during the recently completed consultation process, the Government intend to proceed with a three-brigade structure from next April.

Mr. Barry Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations he has received from local authorities in Wales and other bodies, concerning the future structure of local government and consequent implementation in the organisation of the fire service; and if he will make a statement. [38984]

Mr. Kirkhope

My right hon. and learned Friend has received a number of representations from local authority interests and others about the brigade structure in Wales, including comments on draft combination schemes from the constituent authorities of each proposed combined fire authority and the existing county fire authorities. The proposal to establish three brigades was based on clear and unequivocal professional advice from Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire Services and from the Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers' Association. After careful consideration of the position in the light of the above representations and comments, the Government intend to proceed with a three brigade structure for the fire service in Wales from next April. The draft combination scheme orders were laid in Parliament on 24 October.