§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide additional funding to local authorities in south-west Scotland to ensure that fire-fighting teams in that area are adequately trained and equipped to be able to deal with an outbreak of fire on cross-channel ferries at sea between Northern Ireland and Scotland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe fire services, like other local services, are supported by central Government through the revenue support grant. Within Scotland, it is for the eight fire authorities, including Dumfries and Galloway regional council, to determine the level of fire expenditure and the priorities for their area.