Clause 2 - Power to create combined fire and rescue authorities
Fire and Rescue Services Bill
10:00 am
Mr Philip Hammond (Runnymede and Weybridge, Conservative)
I am grateful, Sir Nicholas. I suspect that the hon. Member for Teignbridge intends that public safety should be contrasted with the words in the Bill, which might be seen to be about the economic approach to the delivery of fire services. He seeks to draw that distinction and I was seeking to build on that. The hon. Gentleman makes an important point, but I will move on, suffice it to say that the public are somewhat sceptical. I am sure that the Minister is apprised of that and is concerned to try to dispel that perception over time.