§ Mr. Bakerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the effect of reducing the number of hours worked in a week from 54 to 48 on the number of firemen employed.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe reduction in the firemen's working week from 56 to 48 hours took effect from 8th November 1974. Because recruitment to meet the needs of the 48-hour week started early in 1974 and extended in some areas into 1975, and because in this period brigades were reorganised as a result of local government reorganisation, the effect on the number of firemen employed cannot be precisely estimated. But the full-time strengths, including control room staff, of brigades in England and Wales at the end of 1973, 1974 and 1975 were 26,292, 31,117 and 32,550 respectively.
§ Mr. Bakerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many more firemen will be needed if the hours worked per week are reduced from 48 to 42.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe number of additional firemen required would depend on manning levels and type of shift system adopted. To preserve existing standards of fire cover, including present manning standards, it has been estimated that 3,000 to 5,000 additional firemen would be needed for the whole country. The number actually required would depend on the outcome of the negotiations necessary in the National Joint Council for Local Authority Fire Brigades.
§ Mr. Bakerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what would he the cost of reducing the hours worked by firemen each week from 48 to 42.
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§ Mr. Merlyn ReesI refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the Question by the hon. Member for Harrow, West (Mr. Page) on 6th December.—[Vol. 940, c.618.]