Clause 3 - Creation of combined fire and rescue authorities: supplementary
Fire and Rescue Services Bill
5:00 pm
Mr Nick Raynsford (Minister of State (Local and Regional Government), Office of the Deputy Prime Minister; Greenwich and Woolwich, Labour)
I remind the hon. Gentleman that I did not say the words that he has tried to put into my mouth: that the existing CFAs were inadequate. I referred to the carefully considered words of the Chairman of the Select Committee, on Second Reading, which highlighted some weaknesses in the existing structures which were widely acknowledged on both sides of the House, and I highlighted the particular circumstances in which it might be necessary to use the powers to create a new CFA. I argued wholly logically for a power to be made available to enable the Secretary of State to reinforce the expertise and skills of the new CFA.