Fire Services: Working Hours

Mrs. Spelman
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance his Department has issued to fire and rescue authorities in the last 24 months on the European Working Time Directive and retained firefighters.

Mr. Malik
The Department has not issued any guidance to fire and rescue services on the EU Working Time Directive and retained duty system firefighters in the last 24 months. “Integrated Risk Management Planning Guidance Note 6”, which gives general guidance on how the Working Time Regulations might affect the fire and rescue service and was issued in 2004, remains current.