Vol. 483 No. 3
63 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the average age of fire-fighting appliances currently in service with local authorities; the number of these appliances over ten years old; the number of new appliances acquired for each of the years from 1993 to date in 1997; the number of new appliances expected to be acquired in 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20222/97]
The provision of a fire service, including the provision and maintenance of fire-fighting appliances for its brigades, is the responsibility of the fire authorities.
My Department obtains information from the fire authorities on their fire vehicle fleets from time to time; the latest information relates to the position at 31 December 1996. I am having the information requested by the Deputy, in so far as it is available, compiled from these returns and it will be forwarded to him as soon as possible.
My Department provides capital grants towards certain expenditures incurred by the fire authorities on the provision of a fire service. The provision of £5.033 million for the fire services capital programme for 1998 represents an increase of almost £400,000 or more than 8 per cent over the 1997 provision; this will facilitate the making available of capital grants for additional appliances.
