§ Earl WINTERTONasked the Home Secretary whether his notice has been drawn to the increase in the number of heath fires in the neighbourhood of Midhurst, Sussex, and elsewhere, and the resultant damage to property and danger to life; and whether he is prepared to take special measures to assist the local police in controlling the situation?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI am informed by the Chief Constable that the heath fires in the neighbourhood of Midhurst this season have not been more extensive than the average in former years, and that there has been no danger to property other than the commons themselves. The police have made, and continue to make, every effort to prevent these fires and to discover the persons causing them, and I do not think that I could intervene to any good purpose.