HC Deb 22 March 1982 vol 20 cc235-6W
Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in order to preserve standards of safety, he will ensure that there are no cuts in the fire service.

Mr. Whitelaw

It is my policy to encourage fire authorities to make expenditure savings only where this can be done without endangering the safety of the public, and not to approve reductions in fire brigade establishments which would reduce fire cover provision below the minimum standards recommended by the Home Office.