asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of basic salary is paid by firemen as a contribution to their pension.

The general rate of pension contribution for regular firemen is currently 6·75 per cent. of pensionable pay.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate what proportion of the aggregate value of an average fireman's pension from the point of his retirement until his decease is covered by his pension contributions while in service.

According to a recent evaluation by the Government Actuary, the aggregate value of an average fireman's total pension benefits, which include benefits for his dependants, is equal to 34·5 per cent. of his pensionable pay over his career. His pension contributions cover about one-fifth of these benefits. The contribution rate is not broken down between personal and dependants' benefits but the former account for about four-fifths of the overall cost.