§ Mr. Ernest Daviesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is now in a position to make a statement about the new machinery for dealing with questions of conditions of service in the N.F.S.
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§ Mr. EdeTwo councils have been set up in the National Fire Service, one for the officer ranks and one for the junior ranks, similar in constitution to joint industrial councils. In view of the decision of the Government which I announced in the House in March last that the Fire Service shall be transferred to the control of the councils of counties and county boroughs in England and Wales, and of counties and large burghs in Scotland, the official side of both bodies include, in addition to representatives of the Home Office and the Scottish Home Department, representatives of the London County Council and the associations representing the other prospective fire authorities in England and Wales and Scotland. The staff sides consist of representatives of the organisations representing the officer ranks and the junior ranks respectively.
The councils have already made considerable progress with their work and agreement has been reached upon two important issues raised by the staff sides, one relating to hours of duty of the lower ranks and the other to the salaries of National Fire Service officers. I am taking steps to give effect to the agreements reached, which are as follows.
The hours of duty of operational firemen up to and including the rank of section leader will be reduced from the present average of about 80 hours a week in England and Wales and 72 in Scotland to 60 hours a week. This reduction will take effect as soon as the necessary additional men have been recruited and trained; the date may vary in different districts. Recruitment and training will begin at once but the total number of recruits will be determined in the light of a further review of the present organisation and establishments which will be undertaken immediately with a view to reducing to a minimum the number of extra men required. In the meantime there will be no alteration in present arrangements. On the introduction of the new duty system it will be made a general rule that firemen do not undertake paid work—as they were allowed to do under emergency conditions—during their off duty time.
As regards the officer ranks, taking into account the increases in pay which have been granted in the lower ranks of the National Fire Service and in other public services, including the Police, since the 35W National Fire Service was formed in 1941, it has been agreed to revise the rates of pay of male officers from company officer to fire force commander and of women officers from group officer to regional woman fire officer. These increases, like those given recently to the junior ranks, will date from 1st December, 1945. The revised rates are shown in the appended Table.
Concessions were made by both sides of the two councils in reaching these agreements and the House will, I am sure, share the satisfaction which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I feel that the two bodies have made such an encouraging start.
Rank. Revised Salary. Male Officers. £ per annum. Company Officer 450 Senior Company Officer 500 Column Officer 600 Divisional Officer 700 Assistant Fire Force Commander 800 Fire Force Commander Rates ranging from £900 to £1,300 Women Officers. Group Officer 325 Assistant Area Officer 350 Area Officer Rates ranging from £375 to £525 Regional Woman Fire Officer. Rates ranging from £375 to £525