§ 26. Mr. Frankelasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the members of the warden's service can be compelled to do an unspecified number of hours duty in any four weeks, whereas members of the fire guard are not liable for more than 48 hours duty, which affords an inducement to some local authorities to take advantage of those who are subject to compulsory part-time service; and whether he will take steps to abolish this discrimination.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonNo part-time member either of the warden service or the Fire Guard is required to perform more than 48 hours of rota duty at his post or action station in each four weeks. In both services this requirement has been relaxed to the fullest extent possible, having regard to the operational needs of the area concerned. In many places, this relaxation has been facilitated in the Warden Service by the system under which wardens turn out on an alert either at any time or on specified nights in place of performing the full hours of duty at the post. Local authorities have been asked to operate this "on call" system in such a way as not to interfere with the social or other activities of wardens, provided that they come on duty promptly when needed.