Mr. De la Bère:

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the unsatisfactory nature of the sleeping accommodation for women members of the National Fire Service who have to be adjacent to the control rooms to enable them to be available for duty, inasmuch as there is a lack of proper ventilation and general amenities; what steps he is taking to have these matters rectified; and whether he will give an assurance that until such steps have been taken women will not be called upon to sleep under these conditions?

Improvements in the sleeping accommodation for women in the National Fire Service are being made, as part of the programme for improving National Fire Service accommodation generally, as rapidly as the restricted supply of labour and materials allows. Instructions have been given that the 48/24 hour system of duty is not to be applied except when accommodation is reasonably satisfactory. I have written to my hon. Friend in regard to the particular station to which he has drawn my attention, where the accommodation for women appears to be adequate.

Mr. De la Bère:

Does my right hon. Friend say that the accommodation is adequate?

I said: where the accommodation for women appears to be adequate.

Mr. De la Bère:

Is it suggested that the accommodation to which I am drawing attention is adequate?

Yes, Sir, I say that it appears to be adequate.

Mr. De la Bère:

Will my right hon. Friend think again? Otherwise, I am afraid I shall have to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

Yes, Sir. I am always willing to think again.

Mr. De la Bère:

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his answer is thoroughly unsatisfactory?

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered the complaints regarding the working conditions of women who staff the control rooms at National Fire Service posts; and what action he proposes to take to improve them?

Yes, Sir. The matter has been receiving my attention, and improvement is continuing progressively as part of the programme for the improvement of National Fire Service accommodation generally. I think the complaints in this particular matter mostly relate to stuffiness of the rooms at night, and that this is very often due to the occupants having, of their own accord, blocked vents which would have allowed the free circulation of air.