§ 3. Mr. Brockwayasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he proposes to take on the recommendation of the Joint Committee of the Advisory Councils on fire cover, and on the memorandum submitted by the Fire Brigades Union providing evidence of serious undermanning in the fire service.
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithMy right hon. Friend, in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, is considering the Report on fire cover of the Joint Committee of the Fire Brigade Advisory Councils, together with the representations of the Fire Brigades Union, but he regrets that he is not yet in a position to make a statement.
§ Mr. BrockwayI thank the hon. Lady for that Answer. Is it not the case that the agreement of 1948 between the Home Office and the local authorities is not being maintained in many parts of the country; and that, although fire calls have trebled, there are fewer officers and men riding the fire appliances? May I ask whether the hon. Lady will look particularly at areas outside London where in many towns there is only one fire station?
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithI am sure my right hon. Friend would be very happy to look into the point raised by the hon. Member. The hon. Member will appreciate that it covers a much wider field than his original Question.
§ Mr. Anthony GreenwoodIs it not vitally important to increase the fire establishment in many parts of the country? Can the Joint Under-Secretary say why this decision has been delayed and how much longer we have to wait, because local authorities and the Fire Brigades Union are getting very impatient?
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithObviously one has to take a long-term view of the standards of fire cover and careful consideration must be given to all the different aspects of the problem, including the disagreement between the Fire Brigades Union and other members of the Advisory Councils as to the right standard of manning of appliances. My right hon. Friend is going into these matters.