HC Deb 05 July 1938 vol 338 cc238-9
Sir S. Hoare

I beg to move, in page 21, line 6, to leave out "two" and to insert "three."

This Amendment and the following one are the result of an undertaking which my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary gave with reference to the membership of the Fire Service Commission. Originally the proposal was that there should be three members. Hon. Members for Scottish constituencies pointed out that it would be difficult for Scotland to secure representation, and we at once, being reasonable, saw the justice of the claim, and the number of members is to be increased.

5.19 p.m.

Mr. Westwood

This is only a case of being partially reasonable. The claim made in Committee was to increase the number under this Amendment to four and under the next Amendment to six. The Amendment as moved is fulfilling the promise made in Committee to increase the number by one. Our claim in Committee was that an additional two were absolutely essential, because in bringing about the co-ordination necessary to make the fire-fighting services of real value the work ought to be done as speedily as possible. This is not a peace Measure so much as a war defence Measure and speed is essential. It would have been possible to have three sections of the Fire Service Commission working at the one time if we had accepted the Amendment moved in Committee to increase the number to six. They could have divided themselves into three parts and dealt with three areas and reported back to the Committee, and so have got on more speedily with the work. However, the new constitution of the Commission will be better than under the original proposal, and we shall not divide.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendment made: In page 21, line 6, leave out "four" and insert "five."—[Sir S. Hoare.]

Bill reported with Amendments.

As amended (in the Standing Committee and on re-committal), considered.