Oral Answers to Questions

Richard Graham Excerpts

Wednesday 25th March 2015 Commons Chamber

[The Minister for Civil Society (Mr Rob Wilson)]

The hon. Gentleman’s interest in the NCS is welcome and I know is reflected in his constituency, where demand for the programme is high among pupils at Bulwell academy and Bluecoat Beechdale academy. I am delighted that the latest independent evaluation found that in 2013 16% of NCS participants were in receipt of free school meals, compared with about 7% of 16 and 17-year-olds in the general population.

[Richard Graham (Gloucester) (Con)]

T6. The Cabinet Office has been relentless in reducing waste from public services. However, does my right hon. Friend share my concern that the hidden cost to the taxpayer, as well as the lack of local accountability, from doing away with the shire fire and rescue services and trying to create a national fire service as Labour proposes would be considerable?

[Mr Maude]

I share my hon. Friend’s view that the local accountability that comes with local fire services is extremely important. I would be very loth to see that change.