Mr. Michael J. FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recognition is given through the Standard Spending Assessment formula to the impact upon fire authorities of coping with major inland waterways in relation to(a) rescue activities and (b) flooding incidents. [148910]
§ Ms Beverley HughesNo specific indicators are included within Standard Spending Assessments (SSA) for fire authorities in England with respect to calls to flooding and rescue activities related to inland waterways. However, to the extent that expenditure arising from such calls is included in the 1990–91 expenditure of fire authorities, upon which SSAs are calibrated, indirect allowance is made.