§ 5. Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the concern expressed in the fire service about the nature of question number 3 in the essay paper set by the Eastern Fire Authorities Examination Board for the leading fireman examination on 24th March, 1971; and what steps are open to the Government to ensure that such questions are not set in other fire service examinations by areas or the Central Examinations Board.
The Minister of State, Home Office (Mr. Richard Sharpies)Arrangements for conducting the leading fireman's examination are for fire authorities or for local examination boards appointed for the purpose by groups of fire authorities. The Fire Services Central Examinations Board has, however, at the Home Office's request, drawn the attention of the Eastern Fire Authorities Examinations Board to the concern expressed about questions of the kind referred to by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. SillarsAre we to take it that the information sent out by the Home Office expresses the Department's concern that such a question should be set for a promotion examination in the first place? Will the hon. Gentleman accept that the concern expressed by the fire service is genuine and not manufactured?
§ Mr. SharplesYes, I do. I think the question was not very tactful.