HC Deb 01 July 1948 vol 452 cc2344-6
5. Mr. Manningham-Buller

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Fire Services (Discipline) Regulations, 1948 (S.I., 1948, No. 545), will be revised.

10 and 11. Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he has yet decided to amend the Fire Services (Discipline) Regulations so that disciplinary cases and appeals shall not be proceeded with and concluded in the absence of the accused if he is in legal custody;

(2) whether he has yet decided that a member of a fire brigade charged with an offence under the Fire Services (Discipline) Regulations shall be entitled to be represented by a person other than a member of the fire brigade without the leave of the fire authority.

Mr. Ede

In accordance with the assurances given during the Debate on the Discipline Regulations on 7th April I brought this matter to the notice of the National Joint Council. I have now had a report from the Council recommending that revision of the regulations should be deferred until more experience has been gained of the working of the regulations. I am sure this is the wiser course but I shall keep the operation of the regulations under careful review.

Mr. Manningham-Buller

Does the right hon. Gentleman recollect that the Under-Secretary gave an unqualified assurance that these regulations would be revised at an early date in view of the objections made in this House?

Mr. Ede

Yes, Sir. I have very carefully considered what my hon. Friend said, and the course which has been taken has carried out the pledge that he gave.

Mr. Manningham-Buller

No.

Mr. Ede

I have here the concluding words of my hon. Friend's statement. I am as anxious as hon. Gentlemen opposite with regard to this matter. I am keeping under review the specific application of the regulations on the point to which they drew attention. I hope soon to get a recommendation from the Council.

Mr. Manningham-Buller

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that during that Debate I asked the Under-Secretary for an assurance that if the regulations remained in force there should be an undertaking that they would be revised at an early date, and he replied that that was precisely the position as understood by the Secretary of State? Do I understand that that revision will not take place at an early date?

Mr. Ede

No, Sir. It will take place as soon as I get a recommendation from the Council. May I say that I share the surprise of the hon. and learned Gentleman that the Council itself did not attach the same importance as he attaches to the particular point in the regulations.