• 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?

• Question by: Richard Barnes
• Meeting date: 29 January 2003

London has been discussing it for quite some time. As a leading member, were you consulted on the Deputy Prime Minister's statement yesterday?

• Question by: Roger Evans
• Meeting date: 29 January 2003

But they have been striking for quite some time. Now, you are a leading member. Were you consulted on the Deputy Prime Minister's statement yesterday?

• Question by: Richard Barnes
• Meeting date: 29 January 2003

Do you think the intervention yesterday actually advanced the settlement of the strike?

• Question by: Sally Hamwee
• Meeting date: 29 January 2003

I hope not. I am aware that the employers welcomed the statement. Were the employers consulted by the Deputy Prime Minister before yesterday's announcement?