§ Mr. Allan Robertsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why his Department has imposed a recruitment freeze, effective from 1 April, on the Merseyside fire service; and what criteria were used to determine the level of budget approved for the Merseyside fire service in relation to the figure it had requested.
§ Mr. Giles ShawNo recruitment freeze has been imposed. Under paragraph 4 of the Fire and Civil Defence Authorities (Establishment, Support Services and Management Schemes) Regulations 1985 the Merseyside fire and civil defence authority will be consulted shortly about its establishment scheme for 1986–87, including what is appropriate for recruitment.
It is for the authority itself to settle its budget for 1986–87, and the maximum precept prescribed in the draft Local Government Act 1985 (Police and Fire and Civil Defence Authorities) Precepts Limitation Order 1986 should enable it broadly to maintain the existing levels of service.