§ MR. WEBSTER (St. Pancras, E.)asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, in view of the fact of several large fires having recently occurred in the Metropolis, involving loss of life and property, and that the Metropolitan Board of Works had for the third time promoted a measure for the purpose of further strengthening the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, and rendering that force adequate to emergencies which might arise, he would re-consider his decision, and give facilities for the discussion of this question of paramount importance to a population exceeding 4,000,000?
§ MR. M'LAGAN (Linlithgow)asked the right hon. Gentleman, Whether the Metropolitan Board had been assured I for more than two years that if they would withdraw the clause requiring persons who were insured to pay extra for the benefit of those who were not insured, not only would all opposition to their Bill be withdrawn, but it would be helped forward?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)I am not aware of the circumstances to which the hon. Gentleman opposite refers. With regard to the Question of my hon. Friend (Sir. Webster), I have to say 1557 that there is a Question, on the Paper for to-morrow in the name of the hon. Member for Newington, in almost identical terms; and I think it would be more convenient that I should reply to that Question to-morrow. But I wish to remark that I have searched the Order Book, and cannot find the Bill to which my hon. Friend refers.
§ MR. WEBSTERI beg to inform the right hon. Gentleman that the Metropolitan Board of Works (Fire Brigade Expenses) Bill was in the Order Book this morning.
§ MR. W. H. SMITHI think it is not in the Order Book at all.