Fire Services: Funding Debate

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Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

Main Page: Baroness Chalker of Wallasey (Conservative - Life peer)

Fire Services: Funding

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey Excerpts
Thursday 18th October 2012

(12 years ago)

Lords Chamber
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Baroness Hanham Portrait Baroness Hanham
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My Lords, as I indicated, once the Government have made decisions on funding, it is up to each fire authority to deal with the standard of service that it provides. It is worth noting, thankfully, that the number of fires has gone down, largely due to the work carried out by fire authorities. Given that, the response need may be slightly different.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey Portrait Baroness Chalker of Wallasey
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Would my noble friend be agreeable to meeting the Secretary of State in an all-party delegation on this matter? I ask because I do not believe that, following previous value-for-money changes in metropolitan fire services, the proposal before us is the right solution. We need to discuss it calmly and I hope that the Minister will persuade her Secretary of State to receive such a delegation.

Baroness Hanham Portrait Baroness Hanham
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My Lords, the noble Baroness will understand that I am perfectly prepared to pass on her request, but I know that the fire Minister is already in close discussions with the metropolitan fire and rescue services and is listening very carefully to what they are saying.