HC Deb 27 July 1938 vol 338 c3252

Lords Amendment: In page 1, line 11, leave out from "fire" to the first "of," in line 22, and insert: by securing— (a) the services for their borough or district.

11.12 p.m.

The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd)

I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."

This is the first of a series of Amendments of a drafting character which have been inserted in agreement with the local authorities. They were afraid that it might be possible to bring actions against them on certain technical points, and, in consultation with legal experts, these Amendments have been inserted in order to prevent that.

Mr. J. J. Davidson

Will this involve local authorities having their own complete fire brigade system, or will local authorities who cannot afford that be able to ask for the assistance of other local authorities in the event of emergency?

Mr. Lloyd

This does not raise that question at all. It is only to prevent unjustifiable legal action.

Subsequent Lords Amendments, to page 5, line 4, agreed to.