Written question asked by Grant Shapps (Conservative) on Tuesday, 23 March 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 25 March 2010. It was answered by Shahid Malik (Labour) on Tuesday, 30 March 2010 on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Fire Services: Greater London

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to the letter of 9 March 2010 from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State to the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, what consideration Ministers in his Department have given to postponing the opening of the new London Regional Fire Control Room until after the London 2012 Olympics.

Answer: Under current planning assumptions the Regional Fire Control Centre for London is due to become operational during September 2011. In view of the proximity of this date to the Olympic games, I have written to the chairman of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority to ask if they wish to move this date back until after the Olympics. I have also offered to explore the possibility of moving their current control into the Regional Control Centre so that London can benefit from the facilities and enhanced resilience the new building offers during the Olympics. I await LFEPA's formal response.

Secondary information