§ Mr. George HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received over the standard spending assessment settlement for the Gloucestershire Fire Authority; and if he will list them. [17647]
§ Mr. Nicholas BakerMy right hon. and learned Friend has received a letter from an hon. Member enclosing one from a constituent who was concerned about provision for the fire service in Gloucestershire.
§ Mr. George HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the numbers of jobs which will be lost in(a) the Gloucestershire fire brigade and (b) the Gloucestershire police as a result of the funding formula. [17648]
§ Mr. Nicholas BakerMy right hon. and learned Friend is unable to make any such estimate. Any fire authority wishing to reduce the operational capability of its brigade, including the number of firefighting posts, must seek his approval under section 19 of the Fire Services Act 1947; but no such request for approval has been received. The Secretary of State's practice is to grant approval only where he is satisfied that the nationally recommended minimum standards of fire cover will be maintained. So far as the Gloucestershire police are concerned, with the abolition of police force establishment controls from 31 March 1995, responsibility for staffing matters such as these has been devolved to chief constables.