Fire chiefs are said to be dubious about financial savings

Paul Tyler, Liberal Democrat MP for North Cornwall, says lives could be put at risk if Devon and Cornwall's fire centres are amalgamated.

Mr Tyler claims that John Prescott is refusing to talk to South West MPs about the issue.

But the claims have been rejected by the leader of the House of Commons.

The deputy prime minister is extremely accountable to the House Peter Hain MP

Mr Tyler's comments follow an announcement last month that the government has selected three sites proposed by private companies for a new Regional Fire Control Centre and none of Devon and Cornwall's fire service control rooms have been shortlisted.

Mr Tyler says fire chiefs are dubious about the financial savings and the merits of the government's proposal.

New Year decision

He said in the House of Commons: "Despite being prepared to answer parliamentary questions, the deputy prime minister and his ministers are now refusing to discuss the implications of these proposals."

But Peter Hain, the Leader of the House, said: "The deputy prime minister is extremely accountable to the House and, almost more than any other cabinet minister, makes himself available around the House.

"I can't believe there's a flat denial or refusal to discuss matters, but I'm sure the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) will have noticed the points made by Mr Tyler."

The location of the privately-proposed sites are not being released by the ODPM, but they could be in Bristol, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Devon or Cornwall.

The final decision will be announced in the New Year.