§ MR. SMEATON (Stirlingshire)I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that in certain counties, notably in Stirlingshire, in which there are numerous scattered industrial centres, destructive fires are not infrequent, and that in these landward centres there is no regular organisation of fire brigades or fire-engine equipment, but only a haphazard system of volunteering which often proves inefficient; and whether, in view of the circumstances above stated, he can see his way to give facilities this 1128 session to one or other of the two private Bills entitled Local Government (Scotland) Bill, in which county councils are empowered to make a rate for the organisation and equipment of fire brigades and fire-engines, or, if not, whether he intends to introduce a Bill containing similar provisions.
§ MR. SINCLAIRI am aware of the desires for some further facilities for the extinction of fires in country districts. The question whether either of the alternatives suggested by my hon. friend can be adopted is at present engaging my attention, but I am not as yet in a position to give any undertaking on behalf of the Government.
§ MR. YOUNGER (Ayr Burghs)Cannot clauses be introduced into the Local Government Bill to be brought in this session?
§ MR. SINCLAIRCertainly.