HC Deb 15 December 1938 vol 342 cc2170-1
59. Captain Plugge

asked the Home Secretary what progress has been made towards establishing the fire-fighting research centre, under the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, in connection with the Fire Brigades Act, 1938?

Sir S. Hoare

Preliminary discussions have taken place regarding the arrangements for the establishment of a fire research centre; and the amount of the provision to be made for the purpose of firefighting research in the Estimates for 1939–40 is under consideration at the present time.

Captain Plugge

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that sufficient practices take place in order to obtain the necessary experience?

Sir S. Hoare

I am not quite sure what my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind. If he will communicate with me, I will look into the matter.

Mr. Garro Jones

Do these researches embrace researches into fire-fighting on water, on the estuaries and narrow seas around these islands?

Sir S. Hoare

The details of the scheme were described during the passage of the Fire Brigades Act. The intention is to set up a research centre at Watford.

Mr. Garro Jones

Does it embrace research into fire-fighting on water?

Sir S. Hoare

Fire-fighting of all kinds.