§ Mr. ShepherdTo ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, how many members of the Metropolitan Police Fire Section are based within the precinct of the Palace of Westminster; and if he will list(a) their duties and (b) the equipment available for use in an emergency. [78597]
§ Mr. KirkwoodThere are 21 Metropolitan Police Fire Officers based on the Parliamentary Estate. Their duties include fire prevention, response to alarm calls, patrols of the estate to ensure fire safety measures are in place, together with initial response to fires. In the event of Fire Brigade Officers attending a fire, the role of the Metropolitan Police Fire Officers is to liaise, brief and322W guide. They are provided with personal protective clothing and they have access to hand held fire extinguishers.