§ Mr. Peter Millsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what the annual cost would be to the ratepayers it retained firemen were withdrawn and replaced by full-time firemen;
(2) if he will take steps to preserve the retained firemen in rural areas.
§ Dr. SummerskillInformation about the cost which would be incurred by replacing part-time retained firemen with whole-time firemen is not available and could not be obtained without disproportionate cost. It is for individual fire authorities to decide on the number of whole-time and part-time retained firemen which they need to discharge their stitutory responsibilities under the Fire Services Acts. I am not aware of any proposals from fire authorities to replace part-time retained firemen by whole-time firemen in areas where part-time retained firemen can be recruited and fire cover can be properly maintained by the employment of part-time retained firemen.