§ Mr. PicklesTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many discussions ministers have held with(a) Sir George Bain and members and officers of the Bain Inquiry since September and (b) representatives of the Fire Brigades Union since January; what was discussed at each; when each took place; and who participated. [79588]
§ Mr. RaynsfordMinisters have had several discussions with Sir George Bain, and members and officers of the Independent Review of the Fire Service (IRFS); and with representatives of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU). Subjects discussed included the working arrangements of the IRFS; the progress of negotiations on the FBU pay claim and the availability of striking members of the FBU in the case of a life-threatening emergency. Discussions have involved a variety of participants, including Ministers and senior officials.
§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the commencement date of each review undertaken in respect of the Fire Service; and in each case, whether(a) the findings have been published and (b) they have been placed in the Library. [79402]
§ Mr. McNultyThe Tables below set out the reviews of aspects of the fire service in England and Wales which have been started since May 1997. They do not include
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Families B&B Individuals Total Families Hostel Individuals Total Barking & Dagenham 15 23 38 n/a n/a 36 Barnet n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Bexley 19 23 42 17 6 23 Brent 444 112 556 31 22 53 Bromley 77 61 138 75 16 91 Camden 85 83 168 266 156 422 City 2 6 8 0 0 0 research projects. On 5 September the Government announced an Independent Review of the Fire Service under the Chairmanship of Professor Sir George Bain. The Independent Review is in progress.
Review Review commenced Findings published In Library Inquiry into the Machinery for Determining Firefighters' Conditions of Service October 1999 March 2000 Cmd 4699 Fire Pensions Review 1994 Consultation Document March 1998 Yes Fire Cover Review June 1998 Report to be considered at next meeting of the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council. No The Future of Fire Service Control Rooms and Communications Announced October 1999 Summary of report circulated May 2000 Yes In addition Her Majesty's Fire Service Inspectorate have undertaken the following thematic reviews of aspects of the Fire Service.
Thematic Review Review commenced Findings published In Library Equality and Fairness in the Fire Service November 1998 September 1999 Yes Fit for Duty March 1999 February 2000 Yes Making a Difference July 1999 November 2000 Yes Reducing False July 1999 March 2001 Yes Alarms Bridging the Gap September 1999 May 2001 Yes I will ensure that copies of those reports that are not already in the Library are placed there in due course.