§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what action he plans to take to deploy additional military 273W resources to Somerset in the event of industrial action by the Fire Brigades Union; and if he will make a statement. [75632]
§ Mr. RaynsfordIn the event of an industrial action by the Fire Brigades' Union, 5 Green Goddesses, 3 Breathing Apparatus Rescue Teams and 1 Regional Equipment Support Team will be based in Somerset. However resources are not tied to a particular authority and will be used flexibly to respond to incidents where the need is greatest.
§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what contingency plans he has in the event of strikes in the Fire Service during the winter of 2002–03. [75476]
§ Mr. LeslieIn the event of a strike by the Fire Service basic fire cover will be provided by the armed services. Firefighting cover will be provided by military personnel operating 827 Green Goddesses. They will be supported by 331 Breathing Apparatus Rescue Teams reinforced by 59 Regional Equipment Support Teams. In all about 19,000 military personnel will be engaged in this exercise.
§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what measures are in place to ensure that the Fire Service has adequate resources and equipment. [73389]
§ Mr. LeslieStatutory responsibility for the provision of fire services rests locally with the fire authority. However, a fire authority may not reduce its establishment without the approval of the Secretary of State under section 19 of the Fire Services Act 1947. Consent is only given when he is satisfied that the national standards of fire cover will be maintained. Fire authorities are inspected regularly by HM Fire Services Inspectorate as to the manner in which they are performing their functions.
Under Spending Review 2002 the fire service share of Total Standard Spending in England will be increased by £61.6 million (4 per cent.) for 2003–04 and by increases of £70 million (4.4 per cent.) and £50 million (2. per cent.) in the following two years.
There have also been substantial increases in fire service capital provision for England and Wales, with an increase of 67 per cent. in 2001–02. A further increase of 3.4 per cent. is planned for 2003–04 and this level of credits will be maintained for 2004–05 and 2005–06. An additional £200 million in PFI credit approvals has already been earmarked for the fire service, and a further £50 million in PFI credits will be made available to the service in both 2004–05 and 2005–06.
£43 million will be provided under the Capital Modernisation Fund for mass decontamination equipment, supported by an additional £13 million in revenue funding. We have said that we shall fully fund the new fire service radio replacement strategy. Among other funding initiatives, we are providing £15 million additional funding over three years from 2003–4 for community fire safety and arson reduction initiatives, targeting socially deprived areas.
Under the Central Local Partnership, we will continue to work closely with fire service stakeholders in England and Wales in the Fire Service Expenditure Forecasting Group to assess future funding pressures.
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§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) if he plans to bring the firefighters working in the Retained and Volunteer Duty System up to the same standard of training and pay as their whole time counterparts; [73392]
(2) What the pay levels are of members of the Emergency Fire Control Staff; and what proposals he has to bring wages in line with firefighters of equivalent rank. [73391]
§ Mr. RaynsfordAs announced on 5 September, an independent review of the Fire Service is being conducted by Professor Sir George Bain. The review will look at the future organisation and management of the fire service in the United Kingdom, including retained and voluntary firefighters. In that context it will look at pay and conditions of service. It would not be appropriate, therefore, for me to pre-empt the outcome of the review.
§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the recent discussions with the Fire Brigades Union; and what conclusions have been reached. [73393]
§ Mr. LeslieFollowing discussions with the Fire Brigades Union and other interested parties, on the 5 September my right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and the Regions announced an independent review of the Fire Service. The review will be conducted by Professor Sir George Bain, who has an outstanding record in industrial relations and academia, including key roles at the London Business School, ACAS and the Low Pay Commission. He will be assisted by Sir Anthony Young, a past President of the TUC, and Sir Michael Lyons, who until recently was the Chief Executive of Birmingham City Council.