§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration he has given to privatising the fire service in England and Wales.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerThe Government have no plans to change the public service basis on which the fire service is provided in this country.
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§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action has been taken by the London Fire and Civil Defence Authority to implement recommendations 119 and 29 of the Fennell inquiry report on the London fire brigade.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerLondon fire and civil defence authority training deals with incidents at underground stations in firefighters' own and adjacent fireground territories. I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 22 March at column251 with regard to recommendation 119.
§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance has been promulgated by his Department to local fire authorities and brigades on the wearing and use of extended duration breathing apparatus by firefighters.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerNone so far, since trials by a small number of brigades in the use of extended duration breathing apparatus are at an early stage.