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Home Office

Answer

Mr. Spearing: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which bodies have statutory duties for and what statutory bodies have responsibilities for providing emergency assistance to (a) those trapped in vehicles after road accidents, (b) householders or owners of commercial or industrial premises who have been subject to unexpected flooding and (c) persons trapped in lifts, when no local assistance is able to release them, giving in each case how the bodies are funded for such activities. [40362] Mr. Sackville: Under section 1 of the Fire Services Act 1947, a fire authority has a duty to make provision for firefighting purposes, and in particular to secure the services of a fire brigade and equipment in order to meet efficiently all normal requirements. Section 3(1)(e) of the 1947 Act gives a fire authority supplementary powers to employ its brigade for purposes other than firefighting, such as those referred to in the question. The police service has no statutory responsibility or duty as such to provide assistance in respect of such incidents, although it may well do so in practice. The role of the ambulance service is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health. Fire authorities are financed from council tax, national non-domestic rates and revenue support grant.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

40362; 282 c877-8W;282 c875-6W

Session

1995-96

Subjects

Accidents Finance Emergency services Fire and rescue services Floods Roads