National Fire Service transfers to local control. With the transfer to local control of all stations and appliances of the National Fire Service , the Home Secretary Mr J Chuter Ede attended a ceremony at the NFS Headquarters to mark the official handing over . Picture shows : General view of about 300 men and women representatives of all fire brigades in England and Wales , being addressed by Mr Chuter Ede , the Home Secretary at the London Fire Brigade headquarters , Albert Embankment , London 1st April 1948