HC Deb 19 June 2002 vol 387 cc416-7W
Mr. Pickles

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) what the average years of service with the Fire Service were for firefighters leaving the service in each year since 1997; [62926]

how many people left the employment of the Fire Service in each year since 1997, broken down by (a) gender, (b) ethnic origin, (c) natural retirement, (d) early retirement, (e) retirement due to ill health and (f) dismissals: [62927]

how many people were accepted for employment with the Fire Service since 1997, broken down by (a) gender and (b) ethnic origin. [62928]

Mr. Raynsford

Tables showing the number of people accepted for, and leaving, employment within the Fire Service for 1998–99 to 2000–01 follow. Information for 1996–97 and 1997–98 is not available. Information on the average years of service for those leaving the service since 1997 is not held centrally.

Number of successful male and female applicants for the Fire Service in England and Wales
1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01
Wholetime
Men 980 1,044 1,453
Women 29 59 97
Total 1,009 1,103 1.550
Retained
Men 1,486 1,406 1.352
Women 57 85 87
Total 1,543 1,491 1,439

Note:

For 2000–01, wholetime date are not available for three brigades and retained data for one brigade.

Number of successful white and ethnic minority applicants for the Fire Service in England and Wales
1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01
Wholetime
White 993 1,057 1,483
Ethnic Min. 16 46 65
Total 1,009 1,103 1,528
Retained
White 1,548 1,467 1,427
Ethnic Min. 15 24 8
Total 1,543 1,491 1,435

Note:

For 2000–01 wholetime data are not available for three brigades and retained data for one brigade. In the same year, six applicants were of undetermined ethnic origin, two wholetime and four retained

Number of men and women leaving the Fire Service in Englandand Wales
1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01
Wholetime
Men Women 1,346 1,298 1,351
7 15 15
Total 1,353 1,313 1,366

Number of firefighters leaving the service in England and Wales by reason for leaving
Wholetime Retained
1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01
Compulsory/voluntary age retirement 449 530 497 195 178 190
Medical discharge 650 590 593 87 81 80
Dismissal on disciplinary grounds 17 10 5 7 3 7
Other reasons 237 183 271 1,121 1,130 1,151
Total 1,353 1,313 1,366 1,410 1,392 1,428

Note:

For 2000–01 wholetime date are not available for two brigades and retained for one brigade.