HC Deb 15 May 1941 vol 371 cc1241-3
24. Sir T. Moore

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider making it a criminal offence for owners of business or private property to fail in establishing an efficient system of fire-watching over their premises?

Mr. H. Morrison

The duty of making adequate fire prevention arrangements at business premises, the definition of which is wide, is already placed on the occupier of such premises and is enforceable under the Defence Regulations by the appropriate authority as described in Article 7 of the Fire Prevention (Business Premises) Order. When the Regulations were being drafted it was considered whether the responsibility should be placed on the owner and the reasons for the decision to place it on the occupier are given in a memorandum of which I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy. As regards property other than business premises, the local authority is charged with the duty of securing that proper arrangements are made and they have powers for the purpose.

Sir T. Moore

As my right hon. Friend knows, a great deal of the damage caused on Saturday night was due to the lack of care by owners and occupiers of both business premises and private houses, and will he not instruct the local authorities that prosecution must take place where it can be shown that, by negligence or laziness or some other reason, people have not taken proper care and have allowed other premises near by to suffer as a consequence?

Mr. Morrison

I will consider that. It is certainly the duty of the local authority or other appropriate authority to take proceedings in clear cases where an action would probably lie, and I will consider whether we should make representations.

Mr. Thorne

Is it not a fact that a good deal of damage was done because there were no fire watchers on duty on Saturday night?

Mr. Morrison

There have been many allegations contained in the Press, and, of course, many of these instances have been happening in the region of newspaper land. I have called for a report on that aspect of the matter. I confess that I shall be surprised if there are not some blanks in the organisation, and, therefore, I do not reject the hypothesis of my hon. Friend, but I agree that it would not be wise to accept sweeping allegations until investigations have been made.

Sir T. Moore

Will my right hon. Friend accept the representations which I can give, and which show that members of the Home Guard had to break down doors with hatchets so as to get at premises to try and save them from destruction, either because fire watchers were in the basement or not there at all?

Mr. Morrison

Yes, Sir, certainly.

25. Mr. Brooke

asked the Home Secretary whether he has evidence of any cases of avoidable damage in London, on the night of 10th May, due to lack of adequate fire-watching on the premises, or prevention of access for fire-fighters; and, if so, what action it is proposed to take?

Mr. Morrison

I have called for a report on this matter and will communicate with my hon. Friend in due course.