Midbucks Tory MP Greg Smith's comments follow proposals which would see two Bucks fire stations close alongside the additional removal of six local on-call fire engines.
In comments made in a 'Business of the House' debate in Parliament on Thursday (March 12th), MP Greg Smith said that 'it is no surprise that the consultation responses are in and the public do not want to see those dangerous cuts taking place'.
He was referring to proposals from the Liberal Democrat-chaired Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes fire authority, which are set to be decided in a meeting next week (Wednesday 18th March). The proposals would see the closure of Stokenchurch and Great Missenden fire stations, as well as the removal of on-call fire engines from stations in Amersham, Beaconsfield, Great Missenden, High Wycombe, Stokenchurch and West Ashland.
Smith criticised the fact that the plans will seemingly go ahead, ignoring the negative public feedback he says was received in the consultation stage. The Tory MP suggests that there should be a Government debate on how seriously public consultations are taken if they want the public to see them as more than 'token exercises'.
Leader of the House of Commons and Lord President of the Council, Sir Alan Campbell, said in response:
"I understand public concern when issues such as those arise, and whenever possible, of course the authorities need to listen to residents. Should the hon. Gentleman seek a Westminster Hall debate, I am sure that others will seek to join him in that because there are common concerns in other areas of the country."
You can watch Greg Smith's comments in full below:
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