20. Sir G. Lloydasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish a list of the officer grades in the fire services now and at 1st April, 1948, and a further list showing the proportion of officers to men in each of the years 1949 to 1952.
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeSince the answer is long and contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the Official Report.
Following is a list of officer grades for men in the fire service at the present date. The list for 1st April, 1948, is identical:Chief Officer.Assistant Chief Officer.Divisional Officer I.Divisional Officer II.Divisional Officer III.Assistant Divisional Officer.Station Officer.Not all these grades are required in all brigades; the number of grades and the number of officers in each grade is fixed by the establishment scheme for the brigade.
§ Mr. NicholsonIn reply to a supplementary question which I asked earlier, my right hon. and learned Friend implied that I was attacking the whole fire brigade. Is he aware that we appreciate the work of the fire brigades, but feel that they are overstaffed?
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeMy hon. Friend has made that clear.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerHave not all these Questions been designed to show that the fire service is costing too much? Is it not a fact that we lose many millions of pounds per annum from fires, and that the expenditure is very low in relation to the return?