§ Mr. Banksasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the number of members of local fire brigades who have undertaken training in civil defence during 1978.
Dr. Summerslkill:No. The training of members of fire brigades for home defence is a matter for individual fire authorities and the information requested could not be obtained without disproportionate cost. The training of all whole-time recruits to the fire service, however, is carried out in accordance with a syllabus of training prescribed by the 913W Home Office, which provides for a period of training on emergency fire service planning; and in general the continuation training which all members of brigades undergo on a regular basis is designed to fit them to deal with all types of emergency situations which they may be required to attend.