asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if all personal equipment normally used by retained firemen is currently being made available to those currently working normally; and if he will make a statement.

Where retained fire stations are working normally, the retained firemen's personal equipment is available for use.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will reconsider the refusal to distribute stirrup pumps in his Department's stores, as requested by Devon County Council; and what are the reasons for the refusal.

When the request by the Devon County Coucil was received, all available staff were engaged on the issue of equipment for use with the "green goddesses". I am now considering the allocation of other equipment to fire authorities, including some stirrup pumps to Devon.