§ Mr. Lawsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the percentage increase in the total annual cost of firemen's pay arising from the planned recruitment of 5,000 extra men consequent on the proposed reduction in the firemen's working week from next November.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe number of additional firemen required would depend on manning levels and type of shift system adopted. To preserve existing standards of fire cover, including present manning standards, it has been estimated that 3,000 to 5,000 additional firemen would be needed for the whole country. The estimated percentage increase in the total wage bill for the Fire Service would be of the order of 8–14 per cent.