Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the population of Donaghadee in the censuses of 1981 and 1991; what is the estimated additional population in the Donaghadee/Ballywalter area in the summer due to caravan holiday makers; how many fire engines were based in Donaghadee in 1981 and at the end of 1991; how many fire calls there were to the Donaghadee fire station in each of the past 10 years; and if he will make a statement on the future adequacy of the fire service in Donaghadee.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe population of Donaghadee in the 1981 census was 4,018. The 1991 census figure will not be available for some considerable time. However, the electoral ward figure in the 1991 census preliminary report for the town of Donaghadee and surrounding area is 5,662 as compared to 5,599 in 1981. The estimated additional population in the Donaghadee/Ballywalter area in the summer due to caravan holiday makers is approximately 11,800. This figure is based on the number of caravans currently licensed and assumes four persons per caravan.
Two fire engines were based at Donaghadee in 1981 and one at the end of 1991.
Details of the fire calls to Donaghadee fire station are as follows:
The fire authority's recent survey indicates that the town of Donaghadee is a category C fire risk area and the surrounding area is category D. The authority is satisfied that it can meet the Home Office standard response times for these risk categories by the provision of one fire engine at the Donaghadee station and appropriate levels of support from surrounding stations, including the new whole-time station at Bangor, when necessary. The position is kept under regular review.
Number 1982 111 1983 186 1984 155 1985 121 1986 157 1987 168 1988 137 1989 133 1990 142 1991 209
Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many fire engines were based in the peninsula electoral areas of Ards borough council at the end of 1990; how many engines are based there at present; at which locations they are based; when a new fire engine will be based at Ballywalter; and if he will make a606W statement about the adequacy of the fire services in the peninsula area between the present time and the provision of the new fire engine at Ballywalter.
§ Mr. NeedhamSeven fire engines were based in the Peninsula electoral areas of Ards borough council at the end of 1990. Six are based there at present located as follows:
- Newtownards — 3
- Donaghadee — 1
- Portaferry — 2
The fire authority expects that, subject to the satisfactory training of personnel, a new fire engine will be based at Ballywalter in early 1993. At present the Ballywalter area is marginally outside the Home Office standard response time of 20 minutes from the nearest neighbouring fire station at Donaghadee. The provision of a fire engine at Ballywalter will enable the fire authority to rectify this. The fire authority is satisfied with the adequacy of fire services elsewhere in the Peninsula area.