HC Deb 18 February 1941 vol 369 cc17-8
30. Mr. Mander

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the advisability of amending the Fire Prevention

(Business Premises) Order, 1941, by making it clear that the duty of fire-watching falls upon all directors, whether managing directors or ordinary directors, whether they attend regularly, occasionally or not at all, in view of the excellent impression such joint action between capital and labour would create in industry?

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Home Security (Mr. Mabane)

My right hon. Friend has no reason to believe that the purpose of the Order, namely, fire prevention, would be assisted at the present time by an amendment of the character suggested by the hon. Member, but if there are any grounds for supposing that those to whom the Order should properly apply are escaping a liability, he will certainly consider the question of amendment.

Mr. Mander

Is it not possible that a director, living in a safe area where there is no compulsion, may escape fire-watching altogether?