HC Deb 14 May 2002 vol 385 cc517-8W
Mr. Clapham

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the total cost has been of carrying out the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council Fire Cover Review; what fees have been paid to external consultants; and what the cost has been per consultant used. [53682]

Dr. Whitehead

Details of the costs paid to date (end March 2002) to consultants during the review of fire cover commissioned by the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council are set out in the table.

Spent £000
Contractor 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 Total
Entec 16 64 30 47 157
Systems Options 78 205 203 98 584
Mott MacDonald 27 37 7 71
KPMG 57 174 60 291
Greenstreet Berman 0 0 54 54
ORH Ltd. 0 0 61 61
Total 94 353 444 327 1,218

Costs have also arisen from time spent by DTLR and Home Office officials on aspects of the review, but it is not possible to accurately determine this amount without incurring disproportionate cost.

The cost of staff employed by fire brigades in connection with the pathfinder trials associated with the fire cover review can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Clapham

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions whom he plans to consult before concluding the fire cover review; and over what time frame. [53683]

Dr. Whitehead

The findings of the task group on the fire cover review will be considered initially by the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council. Following this, I expect to consult widely since I expect the review to provide the fundamental basis of planning delivery of service by fire brigades in the future.

Mr. Clapham

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when the task group on the fire cover review will deliver its final report to the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council. [53681]

Dr. Whitehead

The aim at present is to present the report for consideration by the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council immediately after the summer recess at the latest.

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