§ 100. Mr. P. Wellsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the concern prevalent in the fire service at the delay in implementing the pay increase to firewomen, recommended by the National Joint Council on 17th October last; and what action he proposes to take in this matter.
§ 110. Mr. J. P. W. Mallalieuasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what grounds he has vetoed the increase in firewomen's pay agreed by the National Joint Council in September, 1957.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerAfter carefully considering the recommendations of the National Joint Council, I referred them back to the Council on 14th February for further consideration and report in accordance with the provisions of the Fire Services Act, 1947. I made it clear that I agreed in principle to an increase in the pay of firewomen, but I asked the Council to reconsider the particular pay increases which they had recommended because approval of these rates would result in percentage increases not only considerably greater than that granted to firemen in June, 1957, but also greater in certain respects than could be justified by comparison with the local government scale to which firewomen's pay has hitherto corresponded.