§ 1. Mr. Grimstonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can now state how many regular officers in the National Fire Service failed to find officer posts with the new fire authorities; how many left the Fire Service on 31st March, 1948, on such pension as they had earned; and how many remained and were transferred in the rank of fireman.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Ede)I have obtained the following information from the local fire authorities: 165 former regular firemen who held officer rank in the National Fire Service immediately before the transfer of the Service to local control are not now serving in officer ranks in the new brigades. Of these, 75 retired on pension on 31st March, 1948. Of the remaining 90 now serving in the brigades, 72 are sub-officers, seven are leading firemen and 11 are firemen.
§ Mr. GrimstonIs the Home Secretary aware that there appears to be some discrepancy in the treatment of non-regulars who have been retired and regulars, inasmuch as non-regulars have received compensation, and these 75 regulars who have been retired have received none? Will he look again at this matter and see if it is not possible to come to some arrangement whereby the added years can be given so that there will be a full pension instead of a partial one?
§ Mr. EdeI shall carefully examine the situation in a desire to do justice to these men, whose past services I greatly appreciate..
§ Mr. A. Edward DaviesHas any direction been given to the new authorities to 1354 give priority to men who have spent some time on short-term engagements when fixing up the permanent service?
§ Mr. EdeNo, Sir. It is not competent for me to give instructions, but very careful arrangements were made by which the claims of these men were brought to the attention of the authorities when they took over.