HC Deb 22 March 1991 vol 188 cc249-50W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if the London Fire and Civil Defence Authority has any proposals for the reinstatement of the pump appliance at Woodford fire station, temporarily withdrawn on 31 March 1979;

  1. (2) if he will provide details of the current disposition of reserve fire appliances in the London Fire Brigade;
  2. (3) if his Department envisages any reduction in the London Fire and Civil Defence Authority's budgets for the financial year 1992–93; and if he will make a statement;
  3. (4) if he has received any proposal from the London Fire and Civil Defence Authority for the reinstatement of a second operational fireboat in the London Fire Brigade.

Mr. Kenneth Baker

It is for the London Fire and Civil Defence Authority, in the light of its statutory and fiscal responsibilities, to determine its budget for any financial year and the disposition of appliances and other resources consistent with the need to conform to the minimum nationally recommended standards of fire cover. It is not required to seek the Home Secretary's approval to reinstatement or increases in the number of appliances, reserves of which are currently understood to be 85 fire pumps (including 18 for training purposes) and 17 special appliances.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what action has been taken by the LFCDA to implement recommendations Nos. 26, 30 and 109 of the Fennell inquiry report on the London Fire Brigade;

(2) what action has been taken by the London Fire and Civil Defence Authority to implement a review of sub-ground radio communications in the London Fire Brigade in line with the recommendation of the Fennell report.

Mr. Kenneth Baker

The London Fire and Civil Defence Authority has updated its procedures and related training for handing over and assuming command during major incidents. A scheme to train operational personnel in fire prevention has been developed and is being implemented. The authority has also been working with London Underground Ltd. to improve sub-surface radio communications for firefighters. A programme of improvements includes the provision of a radio base station and associated work initially at 44 sub-surface railway stations and then to all others.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the London Fire and Civil Defence Authority has any proposals to implement a trial of a warbling mobilising system at fire stations in the London Fire Brigade.

Mr. Kenneth Baker

It is understood that the London Fire and Civil Defence Authority, following a trial, has decided to replace electro-mechanical bells at fire stations with a system which produces a similar sound electronically.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the London Fire and Civil Defence Authority has any proposals to equip fire rescue unit appliances with geiger counters for use at incidents involving radiation.

Mr. Kenneth Baker

Each of the six rescue tenders in the London Fire Brigade is equipped with three survey meters and one contamination meter. All front-line appliances are equipped with one dosimeter per firefighter.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a list of fire stations in the London Fire Brigade, showing the establishment of(a) black and (b) female operational firefighters based at each fire station.

Mr. Kenneth Baker

Information about ethnic minority and women operational firefighters in the London Fire Brigade is not collected in the form requested. The following information is contained in the brigade's establishment scheme in force on 1 January 1991, as notified to the Home Office by the chief fire officer:

London Fire Brigade: ethnic minority and women wholetime operational staff in post on 1 January 1991
Number
Ethnic minorities
(a) Afro-Caribbean 1144
(b) Asian (Indian sub-continent) 30
(c) Other 54
Women 247

Notes:

1 Includes 5 women.

2 Includes 5 Afro-Caribbean.