HC Deb 18 April 1991 vol 189 cc209-10W
Mrs. Mahon

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what items of equipment, and at what cost, Kent fire brigade has purchased for use solely for firefighting and rescue in the channel tunnel and its associated sites;

(2) what contributions have been made by Eurotunnel Ltd. and Transmanche Ltd. to Kent county council for equipment provided by Kent fire brigade for training, firefighting and rescue in the channel tunnel and its associated sites;

Operational men and women firefighters employed in each fire authority/FCDA in England as at 1 January 1991
Wholetime Retained
Authority Men Women Total Men Women Total
Avon1 641 190
Bedfordshire 309 309 131 2 133
Berkshire 392 1 393 154 1 155
Buckinghamshire 320 1 321 220 2 222
Cambridgeshire 245 245 370 3 373
Cheshire 582 582 204 3 207
Cleveland1 647 75

(3) what provisions in terms of (a) staff and (b) equipment and at what financial cost have been made by Kent fire brigade in order that they may fulfil firefighting and rescue commitments in the channel tunnel and associated sites.

Mr. John Patten

Kent fire brigade has provided six uniformed and one civilian staff for channel tunnel site liaison and specialised training during the construction phase at a cost of £141,500, and 24 additional posts at a cost of £399,100 to maintain manning levels on fire appliances in the absence of those undertaking training. Equipment purchased specifically to meet its commitments consists of 40 long-duration breathing apparatus sets, and personal protective clothing, heavy duty lifting jacks and cutting tools at a cost of £565,600. Total contributions made by Eurotunnel plc to Kent county council amount to £628,400 to date, in accordance with the statements made by the concessionaries to the Select Committee on the Channel Tunnel Bill.