HC Deb 10 December 1953 vol 521 c2169
35. Major Legge-Bourke

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what allowances, in addition to pay, can be claimed by members of the fire services: in what circumstances; and whether there has been any increase in the number of these allowances since the Fire Services Act came into force.

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

Members of the fire services are entitled to claim allowances for travelling, subsistence, lodging and removal expenses when these are incurred in the course of duty. Rent allowances, uniform allowances and allowances in respect of additional responsibilities or special duties are also payable in certain cases. The conditions under which these allowances are payable are laid down in the Fire Services (Ranks and Conditions of Service) Regulations. There has been a small increase in the number of allowances since the Act came into force.

Mr. Shinwell

In view of the Questions about the fire services which have been asked by hon. Members opposite, may I ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman why his hon. Friends do not put out their own fires and be done with it?