§ Mr. JoplingTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much extra money would be needed by Cumbria county council above its standard spending assessment for fire services to comply with the standards recommended by the Home Office inspectorate of fire services.
§ Mr. David HuntThe standard spending assessment for fire and civil defence services is the Government's estimate of an appropriate level of expenditure consistent with the efficient provision of a standard level of service. It takes into account the characteristics of Cumbria as specified in the Revenue Support Grant Distribution Report (England) and is consistent with the figure for total standard spending by all local authorities announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 19 July 1989. However, budgetary decisions for these services remain the responsibility of Cumbria county council. The Home Office inspectorate of fire services closely monitors the performance of brigades against the nationally recommended standards of fire cover.