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Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004
"A Bill will also be brought forward to improve the delivery of fire and rescue services, ensuring that they can respond to the changing demands placed on them in the modern world."
The first major piece of fire legislation in 50 years was included in this year's Queen's Speech.
Based on the white paper "Our Fire and Rescue Service" the Bill can be seen as part of more widespread modernisation of the emergency services and anti-terrorist systems. The Civil Contingencies Bill, also announced this year, is part of this overall reform.
The Bill builds on last year's Fire Services Act, which legislated to allow the government to impose new terms and conditions on the fire service.
It will shift the focus of fire and rescue service from intervention to prevention but will establish a set of core duties such as fire-fighting and road traffic accidents.
Possible trouble can be seen ahead in plans to "streamline" fire and rescue authorities mentioned in the background notes to the Bill.
A national framework allowing the government to set the strategic direction of emergency services was also set out.
Progress
House of Commons
First reading: January 12 2004 (HC Bill 38)
Second reading: January 26 2004
Standing Committee G (until March 2 2004)
Bill as amended in the committee (HC Bill 62)
Remaining stages: March 15 2004
House of Lords
First reading: March 16 2004 (HL Bill 44)
Second reading: April 6 2004
Grand Committee
Bill as amended in the committee (HL Bill 76)
Report stage: July 12 2004 (part 1)
July 12 2004 (part 2)
July 12 2004 (part 3)
Bill as amended in the report HL Bill 103
Third reading: July 20 2004
House of Commons
Consideration of Lords amendments July 21 2004
Royal assent July 22 2004
Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004
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