§ MR. M'LAGANasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he intends to take any steps soon to have an inquiry into the origin and causes of fires immediately after their occurrence?
§ SIR WILLIAM HARCOURTI am not quite sure that I understand the purport of my hon. Friend's Question. As I understand, when an ordinary fire takes place the officers of the Fire Brigade report upon the circumstances, and the insurance companies have a clear interest in investigating the matter, and, if necessary, they have the assistance of the police. But if my hon. Friend refers to the Bills which, I think, he has promoted on former occasions, that there should be in the case of all fires a judicial investigation at the public charge placed upon the rates, that is not a scheme which, at the present moment, 1655 Her Majesty's Government are willing to propose.