§ 24. Sir George Broadbridgeasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that owners of lock-up shops and other business premises refuse to deposit the keys of such premises with a responsible officer of the fire guard after business hours upon the ground that to do so would invalidate their policies of insurance; to what extent access to the premises has been excluded on this ground; and whether the appropriate authority is entitled to enforce compliance with Article 26 (d) of the Fire Guard (Business and Government Premises) Order, 1943, by the institution of summary proceedings.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonI am not aware of any recent difficulties in obtaining access to business premises for fire guard purposes. I understand that the normal burglary policy is not invalidated if the keys of the premises are handed over to a responsible officer of the fire guard but that such a policy, unless special provision is made, does not cover theft by employees or other persons such as fire guards lawfully on the premises. It is the duty of the occupier of business premises to give access to all parts of the premises except such parts as may reasonably be excluded, and the appropriate authority has power to institute proceedings against an occupier who fails to comply with this requirement. If my hon. Friend will let me have particulars of the difficulties he has in mind I will inquire into them.