§ MR. COOPEasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether, with a view to the greater protection of life and property in the Metropolis from fire, he is disposed to take steps whereby the Metropolitan Board of Works may be empowered to increase the force of the Fire Brigade to such an extent as may ensure the much needed security to life and property, and avert from the Metropolis the calamity of a great conflagration?
§ SIR WILLIAM HARCOURTI am informed, Sir, that the Metropolitan Board, who have already largely increased the force of the Fire Brigade, intend this year, in a Money Bill, to make application to Parliament to remove certain limits which restrain them from extending that force as desired. This seems to be a proper application on the part of the Metropolitan Board.