§ Sir R. Glynasked the Home Secretary whether the National Fire Service is one of the Defence services for which men called up can express preference over the Army; whether the rules and regulations affecting discipline, conditions of service, sick pay, pensions, etc., are to be codified 334W as King's Regulations for the National Fire Service; and whether, as the National Defence service is equivalent in status with the other services, he will no longer permit the Fire Brigade Union to be the medium of expressing grievances and bringing pressure to bear to adjust conditions of service?
§ Mr. MabaneThe National Fire Service is a Civil Defence Force for the purposes of the National Service Act, 1941, and it is, therefore, one of the services for which a preference may be expressed by persons liable to be called up for the Armed Forces. The pay and conditions of service of members of the National Fire Service including those who are enrolled under the National Service Act, 1941, are prescribed by the National Fire Service (General) Regulations and Instructions issued thereunder. As regards the principles involved in the agitation now being conducted by the Fire Brigades Union, the general position is that the pay and other conditions of service of the ex-members of regular fire brigades remain related to permanent fire brigade conditions, while those of the ex-auxiliaries, who are serving on a temporary basis, remain related as respects pay, sick leave and injury allowances to the Civil Defence Services generally, of which they are a part. A discipline code is, of course, essential in such a service, and the representations received on behalf of the trade unions, including the Fire Brigades Union, were fully considered before the code was introduced. Members of the National Fire Service are not precluded from belonging to trade unions. Machinery has been set up for consultation with the trades unions concerned with regard to the pay and conditions of service of members of the Civil Defence Services, in which the Fire Brigades Union take part.
§ Sir R. Glynasked the Home Secretary who is responsible for the administration and discipline of the National Fire Service; how many provincial organisations have been set up, and where; and how many officers and staff have been authorised for each provincial area?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonSubject to the control of the Regional Commissioners and the Secretary of State, Fire Force Commanders are responsible for the administration and discipline of their Fire 335W Forces. There are 37 Fire Forces in England and Wales, the areas of which are indicated in the first schedule to the National Fire Service (General) Regulations 1941 as amended by the National Fire Service (Alteration of Fire Areas) Regulation. The areas and strengths of the Fire Forces vary between wide limits and the numbers and ranks of the officers and staffs will necessarily vary accordingly. Establishments have only been provisionally settled as yet, and are subject to review.
It would not be practicable to give full particulars in my reply but I shall be happy to send my hon. Friend figures which will, I think, give him the information he desires.