§ MR. AIRD (Paddington, N.)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If he will cause a special inquiry to be made by an independent Committee to consider whether the Metropolis can be placed in a state of greater security against the contingencies of fire and its frequently fatal consequences?
§ MR. BAUMANN (Camberwell, Peckham)asked, Whether the Government had considered the Report of the Select Committee which was appointed in 1876 to inquire into this subject; and whether they were prepared to take steps to carry out any of the recommendations contained in the Committee's Report?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)The Government are fully alive to the importance of this matter, and would have no objection to a special inquiry; but, considering the time of the year, and the fact that the Fire Brigade is about to be transferred to another authority within a few months, it does not seem expedient to appoint a Committee now.