§ 23. Major Hugh Fraserasked the Minister of Supply whether, in now retaining Royal Ordnance factory firemen, he will give more preferential consideration to the length of an individual's service with the N.F.S. than to that of his employment in a royal ordnance factory.
§ Mr. WilmotNo, Sir. To do so would violate an agreement made with the trade unions on the Ministry of Supply Joint Industrial Council, whereby the seniority of workpeople in the royal ordnance factories is determined by the length of their service in the Department.
§ Major FraserIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the National Fire Service there is considerable discontent, which has led to a natural decrease in efficiency in many of these fire brigades, especially in Swinnington, and that through the whole area of the National Fire Service his Ministry seem to regard the N.F.S. as a "National Fired Service?"
§ Mr. WilmotI am satisfied that the efficiency of these fire services is very good.