Mr. H. D. Hughesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of full-time and part-time personnel employed by local authorities for purposes of fire prevention in 1938; what are the comparable numbers at the latest available date; what is the estimate of such personnel likely to be required to implement the Fire Services Act, 1947; and what are the comparative costs involved.
§ Mr. EdeI regret that no statistics are available in respect of 1938. The strength of the National Fire Service on 30th September last, including personnel employed on administrative, clerical and other ancillary duties, was 23,807 whole-time and 19,069 part-time men and women and the gross cost for the current financial year is at present estimated at about £15,200,000. It will not be possible to estimate the requirements of the future fire brigades until the conditions of service and establishments have been settled in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Act. I have however already received from local authorities a number of proposals for establishments larger than those which are maintained in their areas by the National Fire Service.