LONDON FIRE SERVICE

Early day motion 527, tabled 28 November 1997 by Ken Livingstone (Labour). Signed by 22 members.

That this House is concerned that the London Fire and Civil Defence Authority has estimated that, if its standard spending assessment for the financial year 1998-99 sees no increase on the previous year, it will be forced to spend its reserves, with the possibility of cutting fire stations and reducing others to part-time crewing; is concerned that over the last 11 years the LFCDA has been forced into making a succession of cuts, including the loss of 1000 firefighters' jobs, and London's Chief Fire Officer has said that 'our service is deteriorating to a level which is unacceptable'; if further concerned that the London Region of the Fire Brigades Union has indicated that, should any cuts be announced, it will recommend to its members that they ballot for strike action; is further concerned that the Labour Government should not find itself in a damaging dispute with London's firefighters, which could coincide with the run-up to the referendum campaign for the Greater London Authority and the London borough elections; and calls on the Government to ensure that levels of funds are available to maintain adequate fire safety in London.

Signatures by party: Labour 16, Liberal Democrat 6.