HC Deb 15 February 1996 vol 271 cc703-4W
Mr. John Marshall

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which fire station provides cover for Brent Cross; and what level of cover is provided. [14746]

Mr. Sackville

This is a matter for the London fire and civil defence authority. My hon. Friend should contact the chairman of the LFCDA for details.

Mr. Chris Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those local authorities which are currently budgeting to spend on fire services(a) more than their standard spending assessment, (b) at the level of their standard spending assessment and (c) below their standard spending assessment. [14910]

Mr. Sackville

Information is not yet held centrally on the budgets which fire authorities in England are in the process of setting for 1996–97.

Mr. Meale

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made as to whether all fire brigades in the United Kingdom will be able to meet, alongside their other statutory responsibilities, the emergency needs of their communities in the year 1996–97. [15401]

Mr. Sackville

Under section 1 of the Fire Services Act 1947 a fire authority has a duty to make provision for firefighting purposes and, in particular, to secure the services of a fire brigade and equipment in order to meet efficiently all normal requirements. Section 3(1)(e) of the Act gives the fire authority discretionary powers to employ its brigade and use its equipment for purposes other than fire fighting. Fire authorities have been able to provide such services from within the resources available to them for firefighting purposes. Fire authorities do have arrangements in place for mobilising assistance from neighbouring authorities in the more serious incidents, for example Windsor castle.

Mr. Meale

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made as to whether all fire brigades in the United Kingdom will be able to meet the minimum statutory standards for their rescue and fire fighting roles in the year 1996–97. [15400]

Mr. Sackville

Such an assessment can be made only by individual fire authorities in the light of their own local circumstances. It is for each fire authority to set a budget which will allow it to comply with its statutory duties under the Fire Services Act 1947.