§ Mr. GroganTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the transfer of the Defence Fire Service to a public private partnership would re quire parliamentary approval. [159637]
§ Mr. Ingram[holding answer 8 March 2004]The Airfield Support Services Project (ASSP) is seeking the most cost effective and viable solution for the provision of airfield support services, including wider fire services, without compromising operational capability and/or safety. No decision has yet been made about the outcome of this project and we will only do so following full and careful consideration of all the options. Although we are moving towards this point, I am not yet in a position to say exactly when this will be.
If a Public Private Partnership were to be chosen as the preferred way ahead for ASSP, the Secretary of State would retain his position as the Fire Authority and no change in legislation would be required.