§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) whole-time firefighters, (b) retained firefighters, (c) fire stations and (d) fire engines were available in each English fire authority area in each year since 1979.
§ Mr. Charles WardleInformation on number of firefighters in each fire authority is published annually in the reports of Her Majesty's chief inspector of fire services for England and Wales—the latest report, for 1992, Cm 2275, contains on page 14 a table giving establishments412W and strengths as at 1.1.1993. The Home Department has not collated figures for fire stations or fire appliances, but information has been published annually on these on a fiscal year basis by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy. The figures for 1979–80 to 1989–90 are published in the annual series "Fire Service Statistics, Actuals" and the figures for 1990–91 to 1993–94 are published in "Fire Service Statistics, 1992" and "Fire Service Statistics, 1993".
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will urgently review funding arrangements for non-fire and special services provided by fire authorities.
§ Mr. Charles WardleNo.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what basis fire authorities can refuse to assist persons trapped in a car.
§ Mr. Charles WardleIn practice fire brigades attend road accidents where there is a risk of loss of life or injury and would always assist persons trapped in a car.