asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he now expects to receive the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service report on negotiating right for the Retained Firefighters' Union; and if he will make a statement.

I understand from the independent Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service that a recognition issue was referred by the Retained Fire-fighters' Union to the service under the provisions of section 11 of the Employment Protection Act 1975 on 27th March 1978. The service is now examining the issue, consulting the parties affected and making inquiries in accordance with section 12 of the Act.