§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what consultations have taken place between the Health and Safety Executive, his Department, and elected Greater London Authority members about the proposed deal to hand control of the London Fire Service to The Leasing Group (Lattice plc); [141148]
(2) if he will place in the Library details of the arrangements entered into by The Leasing Group (Lattice plc) and the Greater London Authority to take control of the Fire Service; and if he will list all the fire engines and fire stations included in these arrangements. [141149]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienStatutory responsibility for the provision of, and any contractual arrangements to secure, an efficient fire service in London rests with the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority. The contract signed between the Authority and The Leasing Group Fire Services on 16 November 2000 is for the provision, management and maintenance of the Authority's operational and non-operational vehicles and fireboats and some operational equipment. It does not include fire stations. The Home Office is supporting the project through the provision of notional credit approvals under the Private Finance Initiative.