§ 19. Lord SCONEasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if his attention has been drawn to the fact that 19 farm fires have occurred in the vicinity of Carnoustie since October, 1931; and if he will consider the advisability of appointing a special committee to inquire into the origin of these fires?
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRI am informed that 12 farm fires have occurred in the vicinity of Carnoustie since October, 1931. Careful inquiries made by the police have definitely established the cause of the fire in four of the cases, and in the majority of the other cases there is strong ground for ascribing the fires to the careless throwing down of cigarette ends and matches. I am not satisfied that investigation by a committee would be as effective as the investigation by the police which takes place in all such cases.
§ Lord SCONEIs my right hon. Friend aware that there is a very widespread belief that these fires were not of accidental origin, and will he not reconsider his decision to make no further inquiry into this important matter?
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRI think it is more convenient for the police to make the inquiries. If they are not of accidental origin it would be a matter for the police to deal with.