§ Sir A. Maitlandasked the Home Secretary what representations he has received from local authorities alleging waste of man-power involved in the proposal of the Home Office fire service department to appoint large clerical and administrative staffs in the National Fire Service to perform routine administrative duties now carried out by the staffs of local authorities; and if he will inform the House of the nature of his reply to such representations?
§ Mr. MabaneThe council of the borough of Maidstone have recently brought to the notice of my right hon. Friend, as well as to that of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service, a resolution to the effect mentioned in the Question, and similar resolutions have been received from several local authorities in the Medway district. The resolutions miss the point for there is no basis for comparison between the duties of divisional headquarters of the National Fire Service, and those of the local fire brigade which was established in the same centre. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the reply which has been sent to the council.