§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) whom he has consulted on the plans to regionalise Essex's Fire Service; [149693]
(2) what discussions he has had with the Essex Police Authority on his plans to regionalise the Fire Service; [149695]
(3) what discussions he has had with (a) retained and (b) full-time firefighters in Essex on his plans to regionalise the Fire Service; and what their advice was; [149699]
(4) what community consultation he has held in Essex on his plans to regionalise the Fire Service; [149700]
(5) what effect regionalisation of the Fire and Rescue Service in Essex will have on fire stations in (a) Colchester, (b) Manningtree, (c) Dovercourt, (d) Frinton, (e) Clacton, (f) Brightlingsea, (g) Weeley, (h) Wivenhoe, (i) West Mersea, (j) Tollesbury, (k) Tiptree, (l) Coggeshall and (m) Halstead. [149705]
428W(6) whether the Fire and Rescue Service in Essex will be regionalised whether or not the people of Essex will vote for an elected regional assembly. [149718]
§ Mr. RaynsfordI refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Members for Buckingham, Taunton, North Thanet, North Wiltshire, Runnymede and Weybridge, South East Cambridgeshire, Brentwood and Ongar, Poole and Spelthorne on 22 January 2003,Official Report, columns 1456–58W.
A 'soundings exercise', inviting views, information and evidence on the level of interest in each English region in holding a referendum on the creation of an elected regional assembly was held between December 2002 and May 2003. A summary of material received in this soundings exercise is available in the Library of the House. In the light of the views expressed, no referendum is currently planned for the East of England.
§ Michael FabricantTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) what community consultation he has held in Staffordshire on his plans to regionalise the Fire and Rescue Service; [149848]
(2) what discussions he has had with the Staffordshire Police Authority on his plans to regionalise the Fire and Rescue Service. [149850]
§ Miss KirkbrideTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) whom he has consulted on the plans to regionalise Hereford and Worcester's Fire Service; [149833]
(2) what discussions he has had with the West Mercia Police Authority on his plans to regionalise the Fire Service; [149835]
(3) what discussions he has had with (a) retained and (b) full-time firefighters in Hereford and Worcester on his plans to regionalise the Fire Service; and what their advice was; [149839]
(4) what community consultation he has held in Hereford and Worcester on his plans to regionalise the Fire Service; [149840]
(5) what research relating to Hereford and Worcester he has commissioned to provide the evidential basis for his plans to regionalise the Fire Service. [149841]
§ Mr. RaynsfordI refer the hon. Members to the answer given to the hon. Members for Buckingham, Taunton, North Thanet, North Wiltshire, Runnymede and Weybridge, South East Cambridgeshire, Brentwood and Ongar, Poole and Spelthorne on 22 January 2004,Official Report, columns 1456–58W.