§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the fire stations that cover the Don Valley constituency area.
§ Mr. John PattenI understand that the Don Valley constituency area is covered by three fire stations—Edlington, Mexborough and Rossington.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the fire stations in south Yorkshire that are under threat of closure.
§ Mr. John PattenI understand that the chief fire officer of South Yorkshire fire and civil defence authority has completed a review of fire risk categorisation and that he is now reviewing the standards of fire cover throughout his area.
I understand that the chief fire officer has not yet submitted a report or recommendations to South Yorkshire fire and civil service defence authority concerning the provision of fire cover. It would, therefore, be inappropriate for my right hon. and learned Friend to comment on speculative statements about fire station closures.
A fire authority which proposes to reduce the operational establishment of its brigade is required to seek the approval of my right hon. and learned Friend to the reductions under the terms of section 19 of the Fire Services Act 1947. My right hon. and learned Friend is committed to maintaining nationally recommended minimum standards of fire cover and to the maintenance of an effective fire service.