§ 37. Mr. Dobbieasked the Home Secretary whether, in view of his latest order in relation to the employment of Auxiliary Fire Service workers, he will consider the financial position of these workers, in comparison with wages of men in industry on the basis of a 70s. per week minimum; and will he issue such orders as will prohibit one set of workers being on continuous night duty?
§ Sir J. AndersonIn consultation with my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Minister of Health, I have recently had under review the rates of pay of whole-time members of the Auxiliary Fire Service and of other Civil Defence services. I have also been in consultation with trade union representatives. In the result I have decided upon an immediate increase in the standard weekly rates of pay, with effect from 1st July, of 5s. for men and 3s. 6d. for women. In reply to the last part of the Question, so far as I am aware no member of the Auxiliary Fire Service is on continuous night duty under stand-by conditions.
§ Mr. DobbieIf the attention of the Minister is drawn to two of these flagrant cases of continuous night duty, will he take action?
§ Sir J. AndersonI shall be very glad to do so.