Dr Julian Lewis: Given that firefighters, other emergency service workers and, indeed, members of the Armed Forces in support of the civil power may often work side by side in the same dangerous situations caused by terrorism, what contacts has the Department had with the Ministry of Defence to ensure that there is equity in the benefits that any of those brave people get if they are injured or – heaven forbid – killed?

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Angela E. Smith): Regular and frequent discussions take place, but there is no equity between the arrangements. Indeed, the benefits paid to firefighters compare well with those for any other service.]