Clause 12 - Other services
Fire and Rescue Services Bill
4:45 pm
Mr Phil Hope (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister; Corby, Labour/Co-operative)
And it is now a much cleaner swimming pool in which one can bathe, thanks to our environmental improvement services.
As with other non-fire services, this type of community service is currently provided using discretionary powers under section 3(1)(e) of the 1947 Act. The clause provides the authorities with the power to use their equipment or personnel for any purposes that they believe appropriate and wherever they choose. That power complements other powers in clause 11 that provide the authorities with discretion to equip for and respond to events or situations where there is a risk to people or the environment.
I hope that, given that reassurance, the hon. Gentleman will seek to withdraw the amendment.