HC Deb 30 January 1941 vol 368 c665
35. Sir I. Albery

asked the Home Secretary whether he will arrange for a ration of rum to be issued to firemen in bad weather, and during exceptionally arduous periods of duty?

Mr. H. Morrison

I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

Viscountess Astor

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that, though rum may warm people, it does not make them more alert?

Sir I. Albery

Do I gather from the answer that the matter is being considered, and that possibly, in spite of what the Noble Lady has said, the issue of a ration of rum may be made?

Mr. R. C. Morrison

Will the Home Secretary bear in mind that some hot drink would be more useful?

Mr. H. Morrison

I must apologise to hon. Members. I have answered by mistake Question No. 36. I will now answer Question No. 35. The question of arranging for an issue of rum for fire service personnel is primarily one for the responsible fire authority concerned to decide, and on present information I do not propose to issue any directions in this matter.