§ 36. Sir I. Alberyasked the Home Secretary whether he can make any statement concerning the new arrangements for fire watching?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonAs a result of consultations with representatives of the Trades Union Congress and employers' organisations and other bodies interested, including local authorities, it has been decided to introduce a number of important alterations in the scheme for business premises. A new Order—the Fire Prevention (Business Premises) (No. 2) Order, 1941—has been drafted and an explanatory memorandum for the guidance of all concerned will be issued with the revised Order. On the coming into force of this Order the existing Business Premises Order and the Fire Watchers Order of September, 1940, will be revoked. Compulsory enrolment for part-time service with a local authority's Fire Guard is being put into force in areas in which the Business Premises Order applies and certain changes in the compulsory enrolment scheme are being made at an early date. It is impracticable within the compass of an answer to a Question to give details of the amended procedure to operate under the two Orders, but a public statement will be made in the course of the next few days.
§ Mr. ThorneIf there is a quarrel between the Regional Controller and the Local Controller, who is the deciding factor?
§ Mr. MorrisonThe Regional Commissioner is top dog and, finally, I am.
§ Sir William DavisonWhere the Business Order has not been put into force, is the new Order still to be made operative?
§ Mr. MorrisonNo, the compulsory enrolment Order will not be operative in the areas where the Business Order does not apply. Areas where the Business Order does apply cover the great bulk of the population in all the vulnerable areas of the country.
§ Sir W. DavisonDoes the new Order apply although it is not in force when enrolment takes place?
§ Mr. MorrisonNo, enrolment does not take place in areas other than where the Business Order applies.