§ LORD REDESDALEsaid, he wished to call the attention of the noble Lord opposite (Lord Stanley of Alderley) to a matter of which he had just heard, and which was of very serious importance. He understood that the whole fire brigade attached to the House had been discharged without notice having been given to Black Rod or any of the officers of the House, 964 and that their duties were in future to be undertaken by the police. He felt it his duty to call attention to the matter. A fire had already happened in the House which had been immediately checked by the fire brigade, under whose charge all the somewhat complicated arrangements connected with pipes, water, and gas works were placed, and which were by them all kept in a constant state of readiness. If, however, these arrangements were put in the hands of the police, who were frequently changed, it could not be supposed that they could have so competent a knowledge of all the arrangements as the old fire brigade. He trusted that immediate attention would be paid to the subject. The orders with reference to the matter he supposed came from the Department of Woods and Forests, and he thought it was a question that ought not to be settled in so summary a way. The old system was extremely well arranged, and there ought to be some provision for such good arrangements being kept up.
§ LORD STANLEY OF ALDERLEYbelieved that the whole of the House was under the direction of the officers of the Board of Works, and that the fire brigade and police were employed under the direction of that Board. He would make inquiries of the Chief Commissioner, and return an answer to the noble Lord.