Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what reasons the UK National Resilience contract with the Fire Service College was terminated by her Department; what account was taken in that decision of the key objective of the Department for Communities and Local Government in selling that college to secure continuing access to National Resilience strategic assets; and if she will make a statement.

The 2-year National Resilience training contract will end on 26 April 2017. As part of Goverment’s policy to devolve further responsibilities to the Fire sector, centralised training has now been passed to a lead authority, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority. This offers increased value for money and allows in-year savings made to be used for the benefit of the national resilience capabilities. National Resilience assets are largely owned by the Fire and Rescue Authorities, and suitable training grounds remain available.