§ Mr. Alan HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice he has received from HM chief inspector of fire services on the effects of the 1995 financial settlement for fire authorities on fire brigade response times. [1373]
§ Mr. KirkhopeIn general, brigades remain able to meet the nationally recommended minimum standards of fire cover—which include the response times that fire brigades are expected to maintain. Her Majesty's inspectors of fire services draw attention to any 887W exceptions in the course of their annual inspection of brigades. It is for the fire authority concerned to take the appropriate action in any such case.