Written question asked by Lord Hammond of Runnymede (Conservative) on Wednesday, 9 July 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 16 July 2003. It was answered by Nick Raynsford (Labour) on Wednesday, 16 July 2003 on behalf of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

Question: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral Answer to the honourable Member for Halifax of 30 June 2003, 408 c33, whether there will be a reduction in the response to 999 calls in England as a result of modernisation of the Fire Service; and what definition he will use of reduction in the response.

Answer: Mr. Hammond: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his oral answer to the hon. Member for Halifax of 30 June 2003, Official Report, column 33, whether there will be a reduction in the response to 999 calls in England as a result of modernisation of the Fire Service; and what definition he will use of reduction in the response. [125730] Mr. Raynsford: Under integrated risk management, it will be for fire authorities, not the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, to set local standards for responding to fires and other emergencies in the light of a full assessment of the risks faced by their communities. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister believes that by developing local standards based on the risks faced by communities and by placing greater emphasis on preventative action to stop fires and other emergencies from occurring in the first place, public safety will be improved and lives will be saved.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 125730; 409 c359-60W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Fire and rescue services Emergency calls Modernisation Standards Reform
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk