PM's tribute to Southampton fire deaths
The roll call of servicemen killed in Afghanistan or Iraq has always been a sombre moment at the start of Prime Minister's Questions.
Today each party leader also paid tribute to Alan Bannon and James Shears of the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, who died tackling a blaze last night in a 15 storey block of flats.
The Prime Minister Gordon Brown praised the "bravery and commitment demonstrated by all our public services".
Later Southampton MP and Communities Secretary John Denham said, "Our thoughts and condolences are with the families of the two firefighters who have tragically lost their lives in the fire in Southampton.
"The incident brings home to us the professionalism and dedication of the men and women working in our fire and rescue services and of the debt of gratitude we owe them."
According to a Parliamentary answer, 10 firefighters died on duty in England between 1997 and the start of 2007.
Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said firefighters across the UK "will be devastated" by the events in Southampton.
"Firefighters work extremely closely together and share challenges and danger," he added.
"Losing a colleague is something that touches everyone and that firefighters never get over."
Welcome to the hustings! I'm Peter Henley, the BBC's political reporter in the south of England. From parish councils in Sussex, to European politics in Oxford, this is the blog for you. 
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