Clause 19 - Charging
Fire and Rescue Services Bill
3:30 pm
Mr Nick Raynsford (Minister of State (Local and Regional Government), Office of the Deputy Prime Minister; Greenwich and Woolwich, Labour)
Let me give the hon. Gentleman some figures that are clearly shown in our consultation document: 63 per cent. of responding fire authorities charge for clearing up after chemical or other spillages, including spillages at road traffic accidents; 55 per cent. charge for clearing up domestic or commercial flooding; 38 per cent. charge for effecting entry to
premises; 35 per cent. charge for the hire of crews and equipment for special events; 30 per cent. charge for the hire of salvage or other major equipment; 28 per cent. charge for providing water in non-emergency situations; 23 per cent. charge for providing fire reports; 20 per cent. charge for removing dangerous structures; 18 per cent. charge for lift rescues. The hon. Member for Taunton (Mr. Flook) seemed to think that I was obsessed with lift rescues, but they are well known as an activity that the fire and rescue service perform on many occasions. It is right that they should do so, and it is also right that in certain cases charges should be made if it is clear that there has been negligence on the part of the people who are responsible for management of the premises.