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Business of the House

I am very grateful to my hon. Friend for raising this important subject, which has been raised, for example, by the Trades Union Congress on behalf of a wide range of public servants. The shocking fact has been highlighted that public servants doing their very best to help protect members of the public are being subject to attack in the course of carrying out their duties. This problem is not isolated to firefighters—it is faced by a number of other dedicated and distinguished public servants. I find that deeply shocking and my hon. Friend is right to raise this issue. The Government obviously must have careful regard to it and take action, if we can, to demonstrate ways in which to prevent these appalling acts of violence against dedicated public servants. My hon. Friend, other Members and I will want to pay tribute to the work that firefighters in particular do on behalf of all our communities.