HC Deb 06 December 1977 vol 940 cc617-8W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date he received a communication from Mr. N. Brett; what was the nature of this communication regarding the firemen's strike; what was the nature of his reply; how many letters giving a similar view he has received; and what replies he has sent to the letters.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

I received notification from Mr. N. Brett on 28th November of the motion passed on 23rd November by the National Union of Journalists chapel at the Stratford Express and East Ender Newspapers, expressing solidarity with the Fire Brigades Union in its official strike in support of its pay claim. An acknowledgment thanking Mr. Brett was sent to him on 30th November. Up to that date the Home Office has received 761 similar letters, which are being similarly acknowledged.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in the light of the fact that data from the New Earnings Survey shows that in 1975 a fireman's pay was 7.8 per cent. above the average wage and is now 4.7 per cent. below the average, whether he will offer a 12.5 per cent. increase forthwith and on return to work order an investigation into the firemen's hours, wages and conditions of work.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

No. Any increase with effect from 7th November 1977 must be within the Government's guidelines on pay.

Mr. John Page

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what would be the cost (a) in London and (b) nationally of implementing a 42-hour week by August 1978 for the Fire Service both in initial training, recruitment and equipping and in wages and salaries for a full year.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

The reduction in hours could not be implemented before the autumn of 1978. Costs in the interim period would depend upon the rate of progress towards full implementation. Costs in a full year, after the reduction, would depend on the manning levels and type of shift system adopted. To preserve existing standards of fire cover, including present manning standards, it has been estimated that the additional wage bill would be £15 million to £25 million in a full year, plus some additional expenditure on personal equipment etc. These figures are for the whole country, including London, for which separate figures are not readily available.