To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will meet representatives from the National Association of Retired Firefighters to discuss their participation at the remembrance ceremony at the cenotaph; and if he will make a statement;(2) what representations he has received regarding ex-fire service personnel taking part in the remembrance ceremony at the cenotaph; and if he will make a statement.

We have received two letters from the association's national secretary asking whether representatives of the association might take part in the ceremony. The civilian services contingent is made up of serving representatives of the civilian services. My right hon. and learned Friend would consider sympathetically any request from the association for a meeting, but I can hold out no hope of being able to extend membership of the contingent to retired personnel.