Written question asked by Ian Liddell-Grainger (Conservative) on Wednesday, 21 July 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 7 September 2004. It was answered by Nick Raynsford (Labour) on Tuesday, 7 September 2004 on behalf of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

Question: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what assessment he has made of the operational efficiency of regional boundaries in relation to the re-organisation of local fire and rescue services.

Answer: Mr. Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the operational efficiency of regional boundaries in relation to the re- organisation of local fire and rescue services. [186613] Mr. Raynsford: The policy statement accompanying the draft Regional Assemblies Bill published in July 2004 confirmed that where voters choose to have an Elected Regional Assembly there will be a Regional Fire and Rescue Service. A referendum will take place in the North East on 4 November. Other than in regions where referendums are held, the Government have no plans to re-organise local fire and rescue services, which continue to be the responsibility of local Fire and Rescue Authorities. All local Fire and Rescue Authorities are, however, expected to work together through Regional Management Boards to deliver the functions which are most efficiently and effectively performed at a regional level. These range from secure Regional Control Centres responding to the new dimension of environmental disaster and terrorist threat to purchasing consortia to secure better value for money for the taxpayer. No new assessment has been conducted of the Government Office regional boundaries, but they are the basis on which a wide range of government activities are organised, including contingency planning to deal with civil emergencies.

Secondary information