eff Ennis (Barnsley, East and Mexborough) (Lab): In 1996, when I was chair of South Yorkshire fire and civil defence authority, we employed just one woman firefighter. Now, South Yorkshire fire and rescue service employs 32 women firefighters, up 25 per cent. in the last four years. The service is working towards level 3 of the local government equality standard. Will the Minister join me in congratulating the service on the progress it is making on the equality and diversity agenda?

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Mr. Sadiq Khan): I thank my hon. Friend for the passion he shows on the issue of gender equality, not only in south Yorkshire, but around the country. He will be aware that in 1997
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less than 1 per cent. of firefighters in south Yorkshire were women, but now 13 per cent. of new recruits are women. I join him in congratulating the service on the huge strides that it is making towards becoming more fair and gender equal.