§ Mr. Ridsdaleasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will re-establish an auxiliary fire service; what was the cost of the Auxiliary Fire Service in its last year before disbandment; and how many people were employed at that time as auxiliary firemen.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe Government have no plans to reconstitute the Auxiliary Fire Service, which was disbanded on 1st April 1968. Its running cost for England and Wales in the last year exclusive of the provision of appliances and equipment was about £1.4 million. The strength of the AFS in England and Wales on 31st December 1967 was 13,584.