§ 38. Sir Frank Sandersonasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the anomalous position which has arisen consequent upon the High Court judgment in the action of Whelan and others versus Billingham Urban District Council concerning firemen employed upon ambulance duty, whereby it appeared that such man are not wholly and permanently employed on fire brigade duties in accordance with the provisions of the Fire Brigade Pensions Act, 1925; and whether he will consider the introduction at an early date of amending legislation to deal with the matter?
§ Sir S. HoareI would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on Thursday last to a Question by the hon. Member for North Tottenham (Mr. R. C. Morrison).
§ Mr. R. C. MorrisonWill the right hon. Gentleman do his best to facilitate a decision in this matter; and is he aware that legislation may be required, in view of the fact that local authorities and firemen are paying dues in respect of a difficult matter, and they have no knowledge whether they are professional firemen or not within the meaning of the Act?
§ Sir S. HoareI have already had a conference with local authorities on the subject, and I hope to have another conference at an early date.