§ 65. Mr. Gordon Macdonaldasked the Home Secretary whether he has received any communications from local authorities relating to the serious financial burden to be thrown upon ratepayers, particularly in rural districts, as a result of the coming into operation of the Fire Brigades Act, 1938; and whether he is able to hold out any hope of assistance in such areas?
§ Mr. G. LloydThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; as regards the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend gave on 7th February to a question by the hon. Member for Houghton-le-Spring (Mr. W. Joseph Stewart) dealing with this matter.
§ Mr. MacdonaldIs the hon. Gentleman aware that this will be a burden in my own area, and that it will be impossible for them to bear a heavy increase in the rates?
§ 66. Mr. Loganasked the Home Secretary what amount has been received by the City of Liverpool and Salford, respectively, out of the £600,000 allocated by the insurance interests arising out of the passing of the Fire Brigades Act, 1938?
§ Mr. LloydNone, Sir; part of the money in question has been paid to eight local authorities in Great Britain, whose statutory powers to make charges for in district fire brigades services were repealed by the Fire Brigades Act. Provisions in local Acts under which the insurers are liable for certain expenses of the Liverpool and Salford fire brigades in attending fires on insured property were not affected by the passage into law of the Fire Brigades Act.