§ 82. Mr. de Freitasasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on his 49W dispute with the National Joint Council for Local Authorities Fire Brigades over the Council's proposals for more flexible duty systems; and whether he has considered the representations made by the Fire Brigades Union.
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeThere has been no dispute between the National Joint Council and myself as to the desirability of settling duty systems by negotiation with the accredited representatives of the men and I am glad to say that full agreement has now been reached between us as to the measures necessary to implement the recommendations of the National Council. Subject to consideration of a subsidiary point, which arose in the course of the discussions and on which I am awaiting a recommendation from the National Council, I expect to be in a position to make the requisite regulations at an early date.