§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what are the minimum Home Office requirements for the availability of fire appliances to ensure adequate fire cover in the London borough of Hillingdon;
316W(2) whether he is satisfied that, in the light of the present dispute involving the Fire Brigades Union, adequate fire cover is available in the London borough of Hillingdon; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. SummerskillStatutory responsibility for providing fire cover rests with the fire authority, in this case the Greater London Council. The Home Office has recommended to fire authorities the standards of fire cover that should apply according to the category of risk of the area concerned. The standards applicable in the London borough of Hillingdon vary, according to the area, from attendance by one pumping alliance within five minutes and a second within eight minutes to attendance by one pumping appliance within 20 minutes. I understand from the Greater London Council that at present adequate fire cover is available in the borough.