To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Meriden (Mrs. Spelman) of 29 January 2009, Official Report, column 770W, on fire services, if she will make it her policy to make staff in regional fire control rooms eligible for the Fire Brigade's Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. (262273)

Staff in the new regional control centres controlled by local authority owned companies will not be in fire brigade employment and will not therefore be eligible for the Fire Brigade Long Service and Good Conduct Medal under the terms of the Royal Warrant. There is currently no proposal to change the Royal Warrant.