Oral Answers to Questions

David Ward Excerpts

Thursday 25th November 2010 Commons Chamber

[Robert Neill]

It is for individual fire authorities to decide the manning levels and the nature of the duty systems at fire stations, consistent with their obligations under fire services legislation and their integrated risk management programmes. It is not for the Government to interfere, because those authorities are best placed to assess the needs, priorities and risks in their areas.

[Mr David Ward (Bradford East) (LD)]

Will the Minister confirm whether the requirement on local authorities to front-load the budget reductions is in any way connected to the protection of the Olympics budget?

[Mr Pickles]

No, it is not.