§ Mr. E. Granvilleasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any fresh statement to make with regard to the reduction of N.F.S. personnel, particularly in those parts of the country where the results of enemy air activity have been considerably diminished.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonThe strength of the National Fire Service is constantly under review in the light of the changing requirements, and a progressive reduction in the whole-time strength, on a substantial scale, is taking place. It would not be in the public interest to give details, but I can say that the estimated reduction in the current quarter will come to something like 20,000 men and women, over and above substantial reductions which had taken place previously.