HC Deb 04 March 1965 vol 707 cc305-7W
Mr. Stainton

asked the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent there

are agreed ratios covering the employment of British civilians, in respective grades, at United States Air Force operational centres in England.

Mr. Millan

There are no such agreed ratios. It is the responsibility of the United States Air Force to determine the posts which they wish to be filled by United Kingdom civilians and for my Department to fill them.

Mr. Stainton

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what provision has been made for the employment of civilian fire service employees declared redundant as a result of the United State Air Force decision at Royal Air Force, Bentwaters, to substitute United States military personnel.

Mr. Millan

The civilian firemen who are due to become redundant at Bent-waters later this year have been informed of all current vacancies in the grade of fireman at R.A.F. stations in various parts of the country, and of a limited number of vacancies in other grades which are available at Bentwaters itself for those employees who do not wish to move their homes. The local office of the Ministry of Labour will be kept informed of particulars of any employees for whom no alternative Government employment can be found.

Mr. Stainton

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why the United States Air Force authorities have decided to replace British civilian manning of fire fighter posts by United States military manning at Royal Air Force, Bent-waters; whether this step presages a general run-down of civilian employees; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Millan

Although this is a matter for the United States Air Force Authorities, I understand that their regulations preclude the employment of civilians on certain fire duties. Mixed civilian and service manning has hitherto been the practice in the fire service at Bentwaters and other United States Air Force bases but I understand that the American authorities consider that economies can be made by manning wholly with servicemen. I have no reason to suppose that the decision to make these economies in the fire service presages any general replacement of civilians at United States Air Force bases.