UNDERFUNDING OF FIRE SERVICES

Early day motion 84, tabled 6 June 1997 by Vincent Cable (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 35 members.

That this House notes the recent unrest in fire brigades throughout the country as fire authorities make cuts in their services; deplores the underfunding by the previous government which is causing such cuts; and calls on the new government immediately to provide more resources for fire brigades so that the dangerous removal of fire engines from many communities can be reversed, and to relieve fire authorities of the growing burden of fire fighter pensions which, though important and valuable, are increasingly preventing other work.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 22, Labour 10, Labour/Co-operative 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Scottish National Party 1.