§ Mr. David AtkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what response he will be making to the Audit Commission report on the fire service; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Nicholas BakerThe Government shall be asking the local authority associations and individual fire brigades to give urgent consideration to the recommendations which fall to them to take forward. Where the recommendations affect Government responsibilities, we shall ensure that they are considered either by the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council or in conjunction with the other Government Departments concerned.