§ 32. Mr. Thorneasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can now give more information in connection with the fire at the offices of Messrs. Schenkers, shipping agents, Queen Victoria Street, on Monday, 26th June, when a young girl lost her life; and whether there were proper iron escape staircases at the back of the building?
§ The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Sir Samuel Hoare)I understand that the coroner's investigations under the City of London Fire Inquests Act are not yet complete, and I cannot make any further statement at present.
§ 39. Major Procterasked the Home Secretary whether he has yet received any report from the city police authorities with regard to the numerous outbreaks of fire which have recently occurred in warehouses and other buildings in the city; and whether he is satisfied that these fires were accidental and not caused by the so-called Irish Republican Army?
§ Sir S. HoareThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Inquests in the case of two of the recent series of fires are being held by the City Coroner on the 7th and 13th instant respectively; inquiries in the case of the third fire are still proceeding and the date of the inquest in that case has not yet been fixed. I regret, therefore, that I am not in a position to make any statement at present as to the causes of any of these fires.
§ Major ProcterCan we be assured that every step is being taken to prevent these lawless bombsters from injuring British property?