HC Deb 04 March 2003 vol 400 cc922-3W
Andrew Mackinlay

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what figure for the percentage increase in fire service productivity over the past 10 years was submitted to the Bain Inquiry by the Fire Service employers. [99632]

Mr. Raynsford

The evidence given by the fire brigades' national employers to the independent review of the fire service is a matter for the employers. Their evidence to the review is available on their website (www.lg-emplovers.gov.uk).

Andrew Mackinlay

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which Fire Brigades have introduced an integrated personal development system with the agreement of the FBU(a) as a pilot scheme and (b) in full. [99655]

Mr. Raynsford

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is not aware of any Brigades which have introduced an integrated personal development system either as a pilot scheme or in full. The eight components which support the Integrated Personal Development System (IPDS) are still under development.

Mr. Weir

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the cost would be to the fire service employers of the implementation of the recommendations contained in the Bain review. [100122]

Mr. Raynsford

The Independent Review of the Fire Service have said that the costs and savings of their proposals will balance over the next three years, the period of the Spending Review 2002. Chapter 12 of the Independent Review's report sets out in detail the costs and benefits of the reforms they propose. The Independent Review's final report is available on their website at www.irfs.org.uk, and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

Mr. Weir

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what overtime hours were worked by firefighters, in each fire brigade area, in the last period for which figures are available. [100124]

Mr. Raynsford

There is a Fire Brigades Union ban on pre-arranged overtime which has been called into question by the independent review of the fire service. However, unplanned overtime is worked e.g. when firefighters are in attendance at an incident at the end of their shift. Details of this overtime are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.