§ 21. Mr. G. Straussasked the Home Secretary whether he will approach the War Office for the release of the numerous trained men of the London Fire Brigade, who are now in the Army, and anxious to return to their fire-fighting duties?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonArrangements were made with the War Office last year for the release from the Home Forces of men who had fire-fighting experience and who were willing to return to the fire service, provided that they were not serving in certain specified categories in the Army. More than 4,300 men were released under these arrangements, of whom 482 returned to the London Fire Brigade. I propose, however, to consider in consultation with my right hon. and gallant Friend the Secretary of State for War, whether anything further can be done in this matter.
§ Mr. StraussWhile expressing appreciation of that reply, may I ask whether, as stated by the Secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, there are 400 men of the London Fire Brigade in the Services anxious to come back to fight fires in London?
§ Mr. MorrisonI could not say without notice, but evidence of that kind will no doubt help me in my arguments with my right hon. and gallant Friend the Secretary of State for War.
§ Sir P. HarrisWill my right hon. Friend explain how these experts in the fire brigade service were allowed to join the Army?
§ Mr. MorrisonI expect that it happened in the days when a lot of people did not attach as much importance to Civil Defence as they do at the present time.
§ 22. Rear-Admiral Beamishasked the Home Secretary when he expects to be able to complete the regulations for the State fire service set up under the recent Act?
§ Mr. MorrisonI hope that those of immediate urgency, dealing with the constitution of the new fire force areas and the responsibility of area officers, will be made at an early date.
§ Rear-Admiral BeamishWill these regulations come before the House, or be placed in the Library, or in what form can they be discussed in the House?
§ Mr. MorrisonMy impression, although I am not sure, is that these regulations will be in the same class of procedure as regulations made under the Emergency Powers Act.
§ 23. Rear-Admiral Beamishasked the Home Secretary whether the Fire Prevention Executive Committee, under the chairmanship of the Postmaster-General, is to remain in being or whether its functions are to be altered; and whether he has in contemplation the setting-up of any central board, council, or committee, to control and advise, and which will include an Inspector-General and a Chief Staff Officer for Fire?
§ Mr. MorrisonI am unable at this stage to make any announcement about possible changes of organisation.
§ Rear-Admiral BeamishIs it possible for the right hon. Gentleman to give us the names of the Inspector-General and Chief Staff Officer for Fire whom he mentioned in his speech in the House?
§ Mr. MorrisonThis question is wider than that of fire prevention, and that point does not arise. It will arise on the fire fighting side, but I am unable to give the information.
§ Rear-Admiral BeamishWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that there is a good deal of public anxiety on this matter and that the sooner it is settled and a clear decision is reached the better?
§ Mr. MorrisonI have given an assurance that we shall move with all practical speed, and I hope that my hon. and gallant Friend will not cast doubt on that assurance.
§ Mr. LindsayLast week my right hon. Friend said that he was not contemplating any major changes in the fire prevention side. Do I understand from his first reply to-day that there is a modification of that decision?
§ Mr. MorrisonI think that my hon. Friend was dealing with another aspect of fire prevention, and on that my answer will still stand. On the general question of the fire prevention organisation, certain aspects are under consideration.
§ 25. Mr. Rileyasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that some employers are exercising pressure on employés, who are already doing Civil Defence service, also to undertake fire-watching; and whether he has approved of this course?
§ Mr. MorrisonI have strongly deprecated any action by employers which would tend to deplete the Civil Defence services, and very few cases have come to my notice of workers being pressed to choose between remaining in those services and performing fire prevention duties at the premises where they work. If my hon. Friend has any specific cases in mind, perhaps he will inform me.