§ 59. Sir Ralph Glynasked the Home Secretary whether he can now say when he will be in a position to make a statement on the cost of the Auxiliary Fire Service throughout the country after he has decided what is to be the establishment of whole-time paid personnel appropriate to present and local conditions; and whether he is aware of the concern that prevails in the country concerning the unestimated and heavy expenditure now incurred?
§ Sir J. AndersonThe proposals submitted by local fire authorities in England and Wales are under consideration by my Department, in consultation with the regional commissioners. I cannot yet say when the complete results of this examination will become available, but my hon. Friend may rest assured that the numbers of paid personnel will be reduced wherever those now employed are more than enough to meet requirements.
§ Sir R. GlynIf I put this question down in a week's time will the right hon. Gentleman be able to give a reply?
§ Sir J. AndersonPerhaps my hon. Friend does not appreciate that there are not fewer than r,200 separate establishments to be considered, and I should not like to commit myself to a statement that 1023 the whole of the work of examination of the detailed returns to be called for will be completed in a week's time.
§ Captain Sir William BrassDoes my right hon. Friend make any differentiation between the various parts of the country because a great deal of waste is going on in areas to which children are being evacuated and which are believed to be the safest?
§ Sir J. AndersonI have tried more than once to make it clear to the House that in the establishment as fixed before the war differentiation was carefully made according to the supposed vulnerability of the areas concerned.