FIRE chiefs have been attacked in Parliament by Shipley MP Philip Davies for failing to tell taxpayers how much a deal to build a new station will really cost, prompting his own fears of a "rip-off".

Mr Davies said the scheme to close stations at Saltaire Road, Shipley and Highfield Road, Idle and replace them with a new one on Valley Road was thought to cost between £50,000 and £100,000 - but he said West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority (WYFRA) was refusing to provide any details.

But Mr Davies has been accused of acting prematurely by the chairwoman of WYFRA.

He made the comments as he called for a debate into the future of Freedom of Information requests.

Mr Davies said: "In such a debate we could highlight the situation in which the Labour-controlled West Yorkshire Fire Authority has done a land deal where they have given up two existing sites in return for one new site, in which most people will think it is costing them in the region of £50-100,000.

"Yet they refuse to release the valuations on these three sites so taxpayers can tell whether their money is being used in an appropriate fashion or not.”

Last week, Commons Leader Chris Grayling said journalists "misuse" the Freedom of Information Act to create stories.

But Mr Davies said he agreed with Labour’s Shadow Commons Leader Chris Bryant over the importance of the legislation and holding public bodies to account.

Mr Davies added: "Can I urge the leader of the House to have a debate on Freedom of Information so we can try and get to the bottom of whether or not my local taxpayers are being ripped off by the Labour-controlled West Yorkshire Fire Authority."

Mr Grayling replied: "There will be no changes to Freedom of Information without a debate in this House and I am sure he will take place in that debate when it happens."

Mr Davies has previously used FOI requests to uncover issues such as numbers of sex offenders missing across West Yorkshire.

A WYFRA spokesman confirmed: "Negotiations have been under way for some time with Incommunities, the social housing provider for Bradford, to exchange land they currently own for two sites at Shipley and Idle.

"These are close to reaching a conclusion and we expect to exchange contracts in the near future. Until then, the land values remain commercially sensitive.

"When this occurs, the Authority will be in a position to publish the information requested by Philip Davies MP.

"The Authority has previously provided Mr Davies with all the relevant facts associated with the land exchange, and he has had the opportunity to meet with members of the fire authority and fire officers, but he declined."

Chairwoman of West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority, Councillor Judith Hughes, said: "Mr Davies has acted prematurely, before negotiations with Incommunities have concluded. Had he contacted the Authority before making his statement in the House and issuing a press release, he would have been advised of the very latest position."

Councillor Hughes added: "Following extensive negotiations, the outcome reflects a good deal for both parties, with the land values now being virtually identical after Incommunities increased the size of the plot of land they were exchanging.

"As an Authority, we are very aware of our obligations in respect of the Freedom of Information Act. We have an excellent track record of providing full and timely information, and will only withhold it when it is both appropriate and legal to do so," she said.