§ Mr. AmessTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received about the pay and conditions of service and age of retirement for firemen; and what is his Department's policy on these matters. [25277]
§ Mr. George HowarthMy right hon. Friend has received three such letters from individual members of the public. Matters relating to pay and conditions of service (including age of retirement) are dealt with by the National Joint Council for Local Authorities' Fire Brigades. It is for the employers to ensure that pay settlements are affordable through improvements to efficiency and other economies.