§ 26. Mr. Toucheasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the inconvenience, and sometimes hardship, experienced by uniformed personnel of the National Fire Service by their exclusion from various voluntary service canteens, which are open to members of the Armed Services; and whether, in view of the status of the National Fire Service as a war service, he will consider making further representations to the authorities concerned in order to get this ban lifted?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonThe proposal that personnel of the National Fire Service who are posted away from their homes should have access to the voluntary Service canteens has already been discussed with the Service Departments and has received full and sympathetic consideration. I am assured, however, that the strain upon the canteens organisation is such that any extension of facilities to services other than those now catered for is out of the question, and, in the circumstances, I am afraid, that further representations in this matter would serve no useful purpose. Every effort is being made by the National Eire Service to develop its own welfare arrangements.