§ Mr. Hornerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the fact that the National Board for Prices and Incomes has approved wage increases for the fire service due for payment on 1st August last, to be effective as from 1st July next, he will make regulations requiring local fire authorities to refrain from discharging men on grounds of age until the pay increases become operative.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsI regret that I should not feel justified in amending the Firemen's Pension Scheme Order in the way suggested. Under the Scheme, fire authorities have discretion to extend the service of a fireman who would otherwise be 41W compulsorily retired on grounds of age, on being satisfied that such extension would be in the interests of efficiency. They may also, if a fireman so elects by notice in writing, extend his service by not more than six months from his reaching the age of compulsory retirement to enable him to reckon an additional completed year (or in some cases half year) of pensionable service.