• Question by: Tony Arbour
• Meeting date: 29 January 2003

You have been in control for two years. LFEPA has been established for two years. You knew that this problem existed. You knew that these difficulties were there. In effect, you're telling us that you feel that there was no time when you could have instituted these changes. You have used what I consider to be a most inappropriate phrase, saying you don't want to "inflame" the situation. The truth of the matter is that to ordinary Londoners, it looks as though you are appeasing the firefighters, and even when the strike is resolved, it will have been demonstrated that...

• Question by: Elizabeth Howlett
• Meeting date: 29 January 2003

I spent about two hours yesterday with the London Ambulance Service, and yes, the Fire Service is keeping their progress back, because they have moved on tremendously. They have got a four-year programme. They're in the third year of that, and they are looking to all sorts of pilots. And the Fire Service should be coming in with them, because the most important thing, as we're saying, is to get there quickly, and save more lives.

• Question by: Darren Johnson
• Meeting date: 29 January 2003

You talked about blockages from the union, but surely if the firefighters didn't block a decent pay settlement, there would be a real scope for taking on extra responsibilities and working more co-operatively with the other emergency services.

• Question by: Samantha Heath
• Meeting date: 29 January 2003

How many now do carry this equipment?

• Question by: Samantha Heath
• Meeting date: 29 January 2003

The safest place to be in London is at Heathrow, because I understand they do have a very fast response if you have a heart attack. But what work have you done at the moment to look at -- you do say Tower Hamlets, but what work are we doing, can we do any work with the Ambulance Service to actually identify the areas where we really do want to start work in, should we get an agreement? The other thing is there anything to stop us having the equipment if we're at a fire and there is a need...

• Question by: Darren Johnson
• Meeting date: 29 January 2003

But they've not been offered a decent pay settlement yet.

• Question by: Brian Coleman
• Meeting date: 29 January 2003

How do you feel Bain will help us in removing the last vestiges of the militaristic culture that exists in some areas of our Fire Service?

• Question by: Toby Harris
• Meeting date: 29 January 2003

How many incidents are there in a year, which are fireworks-related, and what proportion of the total number of incidents dealt with by the Fire Service is that? Is it possible to divide those incidents between those that are related to official or organised displays, and those which are, if you like, private individuals playing with fire?

• Question by: Angie Bray
• Meeting date: 29 January 2003

I know someone and his friend had their house literally burnt down in Shepherds Bush, when somebody put a firework through the letter box, and he came back to a smouldering ruin. The point about that is really that that took place in October, and I think the real problem is that they are not so much necessarily on sale, I think it is to do with the length of time they seem to be in the shops before the actual fireworks day itself. I am worried about banning things, I have to say. My concern is that if you...

• Question by: Toby Harris
• Meeting date: 29 January 2003

I know that there a number of community festivals, where fireworks are part of the festival. What dialogue has there been with different community groups about these fireworks in those festivals, and need for those events to be properly organised and managed?