HC Deb 06 December 1977 vol 940 cc667-8W
38. Mr. Churchill

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give details of injuries sustained by members of Her Majesty's Forces during the period in which they have been standing in for striking firemen.

Dr. Gilbert

As at 09.00 on Monday, 5th December, 159 members of Her Majesty's Forces had been injured while engaged in fire-fighting duties; in only two cases have injuries been serious. The most common forms of injury have been burns, cuts from broken glass, exposure as a result of soakings from hoses, and, in a few cases, broken bone.

42. Mr. Drayson

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the broadcast of a local radio interview in which Lieutenant-Colonel Morgan Llewellyn, in charge of emergency fire-fighting in Manchester, took part, was made with his authority.

Dr. Gilbert

No. It is not usual practice for ministerial permission to be sought for the broadcast of such interviews.