§ 69. Mr. A. Edwardsasked the Home Secretary whether he is now prepared to hold an independent inquiry into the state of the National Fire Service in the Middlesbrough region?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Home Security (Miss Wilkinson)My right hon. Friend has carefully considered the representations which have reached him, but he does not find any grounds for instituting such an inquiry. 2264 The efficiency of the National Fire Service is kept under constant review by inspections at regular intervals. My hon. Friend may rest assured that the importance of maintaining an efficient service at Middlesbrough is fully appreciated.
§ Mr. EdwardsDoes not the Minister realise that the fire fighting services feel that this is not quite just to them and that it gives an impression that there is something to hide? The town council passed a unanimous resolution asking for an independent inquiry.
§ Miss WilkinsonI think the hon. Member knows that the details have been gone into very fully. My right hon. Friend is convinced that no good purpose would be served by pursuing the matter.
§ Mr. EdwardsNo evidence was received from an independent source. It all came from the one side. The Minister should really go into this matter again, as it is very serious.