§ 66. Lieut.-Colonel Acland-Troyteasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the burden thrown on the ratepayers in rural areas by the Fire Brigades Act, 1938; whether he can give an estimate of the increased rate per £ which will be caused by this Act in such areas; and whether he will consider giving a substantial grant to rural district councils to alleviate this burden?
§ Mr. PeakeAs regards the first and second parts of this question, my right hon. Friend has received a number of resolutions from rural district councils, but he is not in a position to give an estimate of the increased rate per £ in which individual rural district councils, as the responsible fire authorities, may be involved in improving their local fire services under the Fire Brigades Act. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to a similar question by the hon. Member for the Sedgefield Division of Durham (Mr. Leslie) on 25th April last.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Acland-TroyteWas not the previous reply to which my hon. Friend refers to the effect that no help would be given; and, in view of the great expense caused to local authorities, especially the poorer authorities, will he not reconsider the matter?
§ Mr. PeakeThat certainly was the effect of the answer, and the reason for it was of course that this matter was discussed on the Fire Brigades Bill last year 686 and the Exchequer is at present bearing the whole cost of the special emergency services in case of war.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Acland-TroyteThis is not a question of emergency services, but of the ordinary services, and, in view of the hardship caused, will not my hon. Friend or the Home Secretary reconsider it?
§ Mr. LevyIs it not the case that in a number of these rural areas there is not a water supply that will enable the fire brigade to work?
§ Captain HeilgersHas not the Fire Brigades Act thrown on the ratepayers a greater burden than was anticipated at the time the Act was passed?