§ 16. Captain GUNSTONasked the Home Secretary if he is prepared to introduce legislation facilitating the amalgamation of fire brigades in adjoining local government areas?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSMy hon. and gallant Friend is no doubt aware that the organisation of the fire brigade service has been the subject of full inquiry by a Royal Commission. I hope there may be an opportunity to introduce legislation before long, but I regret I see no possibility of doing so this Session.
§ Captain GUNSTONHas the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been called to the large fire which broke out at the Douglas Works just outside Bristol; that the Bristol fire brigade were ready to proceed to the scene of the fire, but could not do so until certain formalities had been gone through, with the result that an hour elapsed from the time the fire broke out until the brigade reached the scene; and does the right hon. Gentleman not think the time has come when some steps should be taken to remove these difficulties?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSMy hon. and gallant Friend has not given me notice of this case, otherwise I would have inquired into it. I will inquire into it.