§ 96. Mr. R. Harrisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will appoint a suitable commission or committee to examine and report upon the work and responsibilities of local authority fire brigades, with particular reference to the hazards arising from new scientific and industrial developments and the academic and technical qualifications necessary for personnel in the officer and other ranks of fire brigades, in order that there may be more research into modern fire-fighting techniques, more wide-spread knowledge of fire-prevention, better use of up-to-date fire-fighting equipment, and suitable pay and conditions of service to attract the highest calibre in firefighting personnel.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerI believe the existing machinery for the consideration of matters affecting the work, responsibilities and conditions of service of members of fire brigades to be adequate and I should not feel justified at present in adding to it. I shall, of course, be ready to consider any specific suggestion by my hon. Friend which does not fall within the terms of reference of the present Central Advisory Councils or of the National Joint Councils.