§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many returns have been received by the Government Actuary in connection with his report into the employees' contribution to the firemen's pension scheme; how many returns have not been so received; when the Actuary's report became available; and whether he is satisfied that sufficient time will have elapsed thereafter before the meeting of the joint pensions committee to consider it on 16 March before passing its views to him for decision.
§ Mr. WhitelawAll 16 local authorities which were asked to provide additional data have done so. The Government Actuary expects to complete his further report within a week. I have agreed that discussion by the joint pensions committee should be extended to give adequate time for consideration of the report.
§ Mr. Craigenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he hopes to meet representatives of the Fire Brigades Union to discuss their concern over the firemen's pension scheme following the Government Actuary's report on employees' contributions.
§ Mr. WhitelawI have written to the general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union proposing that a meeting might take place after the joint pensions committee of the central fire brigades advisory councils has discussed the contribution rate in the firemen's pension scheme.