§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to employ more civilians in the Defence Fire Service; and if he will make a statement. [15137]
§ Dr. MoonieThe Ministry of Defence (MOD) has no immediate plans to change the normal process of recruitment for Defence Fire Service (DFS) firefighters at locations where a requirement to fill vacancies has been identified. Currently, vacancies are managed at unit level and are filled either by internal level transfer, or where this is not possible, by external recruitment. Although temporary recruitment restrictions may occur from time to time under certain circumstances, the MOD intends to continue recruiting as normal until the outcome of the Airfield Support Services Project (ASSP) is known. The matter will then be reviewed at that stage. I refer the hon. Member to the statement on the future of MOD Fire Services made by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Armed Forces on 13 November 2001,Official Report, columns 231–34WH.