§ Sir G. SCOTT ROBERTSONI desire to ask the Under-Secretary of State for War a question of which I have given him private notice, namely: Whether he is aware that in Bradford the Fire Brigade men of military age are being solicited by recruiting parties to join the Army, while, on the other hand, the authorities, viewing with alarm the prospect of having to replace experienced firemen by untrained men of non-miltiary age in such a densely populated city as Bradford, more especially in view of the possibility of damage by visits of hostile aircraft have had to take active steps to prevent the firemen from enlisting; and whether, in these circumstances, he will direct recruiting sergeants not to attempt to enlist the firemen; further, whether he will consider the desirability of allowing these patriotic firemen to wear an official badge which will show everybody that they only desist from entering the Army at once because of the call of more pressing and immediate duty in watching over Bradford and protecting the city against fire?
§ Mr. TENNANTI do not know that I can agree with my hon. Friend's description as to which is the more pressing duty. I have received notice of my hon. Friend's question and am having inquiry made, but up to now I cannot, of course, give an answer because I have not the information.
§ Sir G. SCOTT ROBERTSONDoes the right hon. Gentleman appreciate the danger of denuding our great cities of trained firemen and supplying their places with boys or oldish men without any experience whatever of Fire Brigade work, especially in these days when Zeppelin raids may be expected?
§ Mr. TENNANTI appreciate all that.
§ Sir G. SCOTT ROBERTSONIf he appreciates that, and if the facts are as stated, will he consider the advisability of issuing a badge to the retained firemen?
§ Mr. TENNANTI will consider that.