HC Deb 19 December 1946 vol 431 cc2164-5
64. Mr. Hobson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of regular fire officers in the London-region who have served in the Armed Forces and, on return to the Fire Service, have retained their former rank after re-assessment.

The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Oliver)

These re-assessments are still proceeding. Up till yesterday the number of ex-regular firemen in the London Region who served in the Armed Forces and. have retained their rank on reassessment is 95.

Mr. Hobson

Is my hon. Friend aware that more than one-third of the men who have returned from the Armed Forces have failed to pass this reassessment test and that they are returning to find their jobs filled by men who did not serve in London during the blitz, and that there is considerable dissatisfaction among them?

Mr. Oliver

I know that some men have returned and have failed to retain their rank. I think the number is approximately 26.