§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contingency plans he has made to give emergency assistance to the Fire Service in case of a national firefighters' strike. [92900]
§ Mr. SpellarThe Ministry of Defence has longstanding arrangements with the Home Office to provide emergency fire cover at their request in the event of industrial action in the Fire Service. Our ability to respond to such a request would depend on the nature and extent of the request and on our operational commitments at the time.