§ 35. Mr. Loydenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the recruitment of personnel into the fire service has now reached the establishment levels to enable the fire authorities to introduce the shorter working week.
§ Dr. SummerskillUnder the Fire Services Act 1947, the recruitment of firemen is a matter for individual fire authorities. I understand that since 2nd June, when the employers tabled detailed proposals in the NJC for negotiations on the introduction of the shorter working week, they have recommended fire authorities to begin recruitment to the levels implicit in their offer, on the basis that the implementation of the 42-hour week remained subject to satisfactory negotiation. I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave today to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for St. Helens (Mr. Spriggs) about the failure to reach agreement on the proposals.