Written question asked by Mike Penning (Conservative) on Monday, 14 November 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 17 November 2005. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Wednesday, 7 December 2005 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Fire Fighting Duties

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence under what powers the Government have authorised the employment of members of the armed forces for fire fighting duties in the East Midlands area; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: [holding answer 17 November 2005]: There has been no recent strike in East Midlands; the hon. Member probably intended to refer to the current strike in West Midlands. Section 2 of the Emergency Powers Act 1964 provides the statutory basis for deployment of members of the armed forces on non-military tasks. This enables the Secretary of State for Defence to authorise, through issue of a Defence Council Order, deployment of members of the armed forces on ‘urgent work of national importance'. The deployment of armed forces personnel to provide emergency fire cover in the West Midlands was authorised by Defence Council Order on 7 November 2005 following a request from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, in support of a request from the Chief Fire Officer of the West Midlands.

Secondary information