FIRE BRIGADES AND THE NATION

That this House congratulates the Fire Brigades Union and its members on the magnificent demonstration and lobby of Parliament by 7, 000 firefighters on 29th January; supports the Fire Brigades Union's demands of: (a) protecting jobs and standards in the Fire Service, (b) opposing the introduction of wholetime retained duties, (c) opposing shift overtime working, (d) protecting the Fire Service pay formula; calls on the Government to maintain nationally agreed levels of staffing to meet increased workloads; views with concern the Minister for Local Government's disregard for the effects of poll tax capping on staffing levels and intimation that fire stations will close, albeit, subject to the approval of the Home Secretary; and calls on the trades union and labour movement and all local communities to join the Fire Brigades Union in their campaign to protect life and property against the Government's onslaught.