§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which premises have been left to burn by members of the Northern Ireland Fire Service in connection with their dispute with their employers; and whether he will make a statement about the efforts to end that dispute.
§ Mr. CarterA building was left to burn in one fire in Belfast. Otherwise, full firefighting action has been taken by part-time crews in cases where full-time crews have refused to act. In some instances, there have been delays in tackling fires until part-time crews arrived. Negotiations between the Fire Brigades' Union and the Fire Authority for Northern Ireland are continuing through normal negotiating machinery. The unofficial boycott, which is not supported by the union, has been suspended today; the sooner it is finally ended the better.