Written question asked by Stephen Williams (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 11 January 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 16 January 2006. It was answered by Jim Fitzpatrick (Labour) on Tuesday, 17 January 2006 on behalf of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Avon Fire Authority

Question: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions his Department has had with (a) the Avon fire authority, (b) the chief fire officer of Avon and (c) fire servicemen and women working in the Avon fire authority about proposals to move fire appliances from Temple Back station, Bristol to Patchway, Bristol as part of the integrated risk management plan.

Answer: No representations have been made. It is not the role of Ministers to agree the operational proposals in an authority's plan; that is for elected members of the authority concerned. They are best placed to act on the professional advice of principal officers and to balance the competing local demands on available resources for the benefits of the communities they serve. Furthermore, Avon fire authority's proposals will, of course, be subject to consultation with the local community, as required under the integrated risk management plan (IRMP).

Secondary information