§ 18. Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from fire authorities during the past two months on their budgets for 1996–97; and if he will make a statement. [25055]
§ Mr. SackvilleThere has been a number of such representations. Responsibility for deciding what level of financial provision should be made available to fire brigades rests with the local fire authorities. They are obliged to set budgets which will enable them to comply with their statutory duties under the Fire Services Act 1947.