§ Lord Bradshawasked Her Majesty's Government:
What was the strength of the Retained Fire Service during the last year for which figures are available compared with the two previous years. [HL20]
§ Lord Bassam of BrightonThe strength of the Retained Fire Service in England and Wales in each of the last three years as at 1 January in 1997 and 1998 and 31 March 1999 was:
- 1999: 14,665
- 2000: 14,602
- 2001: 14,787
Information on the number of firefighters in each brigade for England and Wales is published annually in the reports of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire Services, copies of which are held in the Library.