§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, as a means of resolving the firemen's dispute, he will suggest paying a tax-free attendance allowance such as is paid to members of the House of Lords, but only at 50 per cent. of that received by peers.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesNo.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has on incidents where firemen have during the period of their strike given aid and support in any way in saving life, property and releasing persons involved in accidents.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesI regret that the information requested is not available.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will attempt to resolve the firemen's industrial dispute by advising the offer of the same wages and conditions as apply to the Ford fire fighting forces; and what actual percentage
Authorised Establishment Strength Net Increase Decrease Strength as percentage of Establishment Year ended 31st December— 1972 … … 3,092 2,718 +138 87.90 1973 … … 3,093 2,735 +17 88.43 1974 (January—March) … … 3,093 2,736 +1 88.46 1st April 1974 … … 1,770 1,485 — 83.90 1974 (April—December) … … 1,770 1,590 +105 89.83 1975 … … 1,770 1,747 +157 98.70 1976 … … 1,805 1,749 +2 96.90 1977 (to 31st October) … … 1,805 1,722 -27 95.40 The force area changed materially as a result of local government reorganization on 1st April 1974, and figures before that date are not comparable with those after 1st April 1974.