§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the discretion of fire authorities to vary fire cover between districts and towns in their areas. [35970]
§ Mr. SackvilleThe deployment of fire service resources within a brigade area is a matter for the relevant fire authority in the light of its statutory responsibilities under the Fire Services Act 1947. Under section 19 of the Act the authority may not, however, reduce the number of fire stations, fire appliances or firefighting posts in a particular area without the consent of my right hon. and learned Friend.
§ Mr. PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will rank fire authorities by the capital amounts spent on(a) new fire stations, (b) renovated and upgraded fire stations and (c) fire engines for each year since 1990. [35969]
§ Mr. SackvilleThe information is not held centrally in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will rank fire authorities in England by the amount spent on fire cover per 1,000 inhabitants for the latest year for which figures are available. [35971]
§ Mr. SackvilleFigures for the net expenditure per head of population for fire brigades in England and Wales during 1994–95 were published by the Audit Commission in April. (Local Authority Performance Indicators 1994–95; Volume 3. Police and Fire Performance Indicators—ISBN 0 11 8864467—a copy of which is in the Library).
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§ Mr. PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he gives to chief fire officers on the assessment of fire risk and the corresponding fire cover needed. [35968]
§ Mr. SackvilleGuidance on the above matters is given in Fire Service circular No. 4/1985 which was issued on 22 May 1985. A copy is held in the Library.