asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any proposals to extend participation of retained firemen in the fire service; and if he will make a statement.

The Audit Commission Occasional Paper No. 1 about value for money in the fire service addressed issues relevant to the retained fire service. These, together with other issues raised by the paper, are being considered by the Department. The local authority associations, as the representatives of the employers, and the fire service trade unions will also be looking closely at the recommendations.