The Chairman

After ten years' service 1vith the Merchant Navy, Mr. B. W. C. Thacker joined the National Fire Service early in 1947. On his return to local authority control he was transferred to Middlesbrough County Borough Fire Brigade and was appointed Senior Fire Prevention Officer with that authority in 1960. In 1968 he was appointed Senior Fire Prevention Officer to the new Teesside County Borough Fire Brigade. He holds the Graduate Diploma of the Institute of Fire Engineers, is an Associate of the International Marine Association and has been Hon. Secretary and Branch Representative of the Northern Branch since its formation in 1965.

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In 1965 the Midland Petroleum Acts Administration Group decided that, because of widespread interest in their activities the time had arrived for their group to change from a regional a;sociation to a national body. This transition was carried out smoothly and efficiently and the Association for Petroleum Acts Administration came into being. In the four years since that date it has made steady progress and is now a firmly established national association. This is due, in great measure, to the enthusiasm of the past Chairmen, the members of the Council and the hard work of its honorary officers. It is, I think, most fortunate that the Association has been able to rely on the services of so many of the officials who were in office at its inception.

The Council, after considering reports from its various committees and branches, has published for the Association its own recommendations and model conditions. These are constantly under review in the light of new developments in private industry as well as changes in Ministry recommendations. Liaison has been established between the Council and the Institute of Petroleum's Working Party 'A' and meetings are held to discuss mutual problems. Arrangements have been made for the holding of two courses at Attingham this year and for providing a northern and southern venue for next year's mid-week schools. Our membership has shown a steady increase and now stands at approximately 650 comprising almost 550 ordinary members and 100 associates. It is perhaps interesting to note that other national organisations are taking up associate membership.

It would appear from these achievements that all is well for our Association. In many respects this is certainly true but we must not become complacent. As yet, official recognition has not been achieved. Some slight progress has been made but although the need for close co-operation between the Institute of Petroleum, Home Office and this Association is obvious to us, others appear to be oblivious to the value of this co-operation. The Council has pressed for recognition at the highlest level and I shall, throughout my term of office, do all possible to ensure that eventually the Association is consulted on all matters relating to petroleum administration.

Our present membership, although perhaps numerically good, is not good enough. Many licensing authorities which are eligible for membership have been approached by the Honorary Secretary and by Branch Secretaries but their efforts have not always met with the success they deserve. However hardworbng and industrious the elected representatives are, little can be achieved without a great deal of assistance and goodwill from all members. J appeal to every member to contact any of his neighbours who are not members, explain to them the aims, objects and achievements of our Association and endeavour to enrol them as members. If each of our present members could introduce one new one during the course of the year then I feel recognition at national level can not be justifiably withheld.

Thank you for electing me as your Chairman for the current year. I will continue to do all I can with the help of the Council and its Officers to further the aims of our Association.