HC Deb 06 December 1945 vol 416 cc2695-6W
Lieut.-Commander G. Williams

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the approximate number of professional firemen who are at present outside the N.F.S.; and what steps are being taken to increase the opportunities for these men to return to their regular profession and to free those who do not wish to remain in the fire service.

Mr. Ede

Arrangements have been made for the accelerated release of professional firemen who are serving with the Armed Forces and the Merchant Navy and who wish to return to the National Fire Ser vice. There are approximately 500 such men.

Mr. Hobson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why permanent officers of the fire services returning from war service return to receive their own rank in an acting capacity.

Mr. Ede

I understand that my hon. Friend is referring to officers who joined the Armed Forces before the National Fire Service was set up. They will be selected for National Fire Service ranks, which do not correspond with those in the former fire brigades, when they have had a period of retraining and fresh operational experience. They are given mean-while an acting National Fire Service rank as nearly as possible equivalent to the rank they formerly held.