§ 26. Rear-Admiral Beamishasked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many fire-watchers were on duty at a certain naval establishment, of which he has been informed, and other Admiralty premises at that place on a certain date; and if the number was in accordance with the minimum standard recommended by the fire prevention executive?
§ Sir V. WarrenderIn addition to the Royal Marine Police, Home Guards, and trailer pump crews, there were 49 fire-watchers on duty at the establishment in question. This is more than the minimum recommended by the Ministry of Home Security.
§ Rear-Admiral BeamishIs my hon. Friend aware that the establishment in question, a very large one, was almost totally destroyed? Will he give some assurance that the same standard of vigilance, precaution, and sacrifice, is expected and exacted as in defending a unit of the Fleet?
§ Sir V. WarrenderI can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the preventive methods at this particular establishment were very strict and the damage cannot be attributed in any way at all to any weakness in the fire-watching organisation.