§ 26. Mr. Sorensenasked the Home Secretary whether he has any further statement to make respecting proposals for improvement of pay, hours of duty and conditions of service put forward by the Fire Brigades Union on behalf of members of the Auxiliary Fire Service; and whether there is any immediate possibility of the adoption of any of the proposals?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonI have made it clear to the Fire Brigades Union that the conditions of service of members of the National Fire Service who were formerly members of the Auxiliary Fire Service will continue to be based upon those of the Civil Defence Services generally and, in particular, that there can be no question of granting rates of pay related to those of regular firemen. As my hon. Friend is aware, there is standing machinery, in the form of a Joint Committee, for consultation between Government Departments concerned and representatives of accredited trade unions with regard to the pay and conditions of service of members of the Civil Defence Services. This is the machinery I am using, and propose to use, for consultation on proposals as to the pay and the conditions of service of members of the National Fire Service.
§ Mr. SorensenAre the various proposals and criticisms of fire brigade units receiving the constant attention of the right hon. Gentleman, and is any progress being made towards meeting the difficulties which have arisen?
§ Mr. MorrisonYes, Sir, discussions take place with the consultative committee, and it is very desirable that negotiations with all public servants should take place between their accredited associations and the Government Departments and that they themselves should recognise that machinery and not use other machinery. May I add that I do not propose to surrender the principle that the basic conditions of service of all ranks in Civil Defence must be considered together. I am not willing to segregate the fire service from the other services.