§ Mr. Drew:To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much each fire authority is expected to contribute towards Audit Commission costs for its evaluation of the recent pay agreement. [143658]
§ Mr. Raynsford:The Audit Commission has estimated the cost of the first phase of its verification of the local delivery of the recent pay and modernisation agreement will be £1 million and the second phase £0.9 million. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Local Government Association (LGA) are discussing how best to meet this cost.
§ Mr. Drew:To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made on the implications for Tri-Service Emergency operations of a move towards regional fire authorities. [143659]
§ Mr. Raynsford:The Government keep emergency public safety cover arrangements under constant review and will continue to do so in the light of any future fire authority organisational changes.