§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how often he has met representatives of the employers' and union sides of the National Joint Council for Local Authority Fire Brigades, respectively, since July, 1970; and what advice was given to either party on fire service pay during December, 1970.
§ Mr. MaudlingRepresentatives of the Employers' Side on five occasions and of the Fire Brigades Union on three occasions. I drew the attention of the Employers' Side in December, 1970, to the implications for the current fire service pay negotiations of the Government's policy for securing a reduction in the present level of cost inflation. Similar advice has been given to other public sector employers.