§ Mr. LoydenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has for the future role of the fire service; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Charles WardleThere are no plans at present to change the role of the fire service as laid down in the Fire Services Act 1947, as amended.
The role of the fire service and other bodies responsible for enforcing fire safety legislation is currently being considered in the light of the report of the interdepartmental scrutiny of fire safety legislation which was published on 22 June. A copy of the report has been placed in the Library of the House. The Government are committed to full consultation on the report's recommendations before considering whether changes should be made to current legislative and enforcement regimes.