asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what facilities are being offered to N.C.O.s and men in fire brigades in the Army to enter civilian full-time fire-fighting services upon their release from the Army; whether arrangements have been, or can be, made for enrolling their names before release; and what steps have been, or can be, taken to inform them of conditions and prospects in such civilian services.

Plans for obtaining recruits from the Armed Forces for the N.F.S. are in an advanced state of preparation and I hope to be able to make a statement at an early date.