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not expected that the fire services department would produce revenue although
perhaps certain fees may be received in processing
building plans, and perhaps
some of the expenditure can be recouped from a certain licensing aspects in
processing applications for food premises, food caterers perhaps, and premises
under the Places of Public Entertainment Ordinance. It is thought that when the fire
services department is included under the wing of the Urban Council, the running
and operation of the fire brigade should be charged directly to revenue in such a way
that the Urban Council will pay for all the expenditure which is subject to recoupment
from the Treasury.
The financial arrangements may be worked out one way or the
other and there is very little likelihood that the expenses of "running" the fire
services in the hands of the Urban Council would be higher than in the hands of
the central government. I, for one, have equal trust in the central government
as in the Urban Council though in the latter I may have some say and have
opportunity to pay a small part however insignificant, and being true to my
calling, I genuinely think because of the reasons stated above it most appropriate
that the fire services should be under the Council's wings.
In GLC the cost of maintaining the fire services is borne by the
GLC. I did not work out the cost per person or the cost per square mile or the
cost for square mile of built-up area as these figures may be unrealistic and as
I said before it is very difficult if not impossible to gauge the effectiveness of
the services. The GLC for the purpose of running the fire services is aided by
central government through the rate support grant.
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