HC Deb 18 April 1946 vol 421 cc2866-7
7. Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will discourage the lighting of bonfires in the Metropolitan area during the Victory celebrations as, in the absence of adequate police supervision, they entail the destruction of valuable salvage and extensive damage to road surfaces.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Ede)

In a circular letter which I issued to local authorities on 18th February last, I said that the Government trust that, where it is decided to light bonfires, only material with no salvage value will be used, and that arrangements will be made with the National Fire Service to guard against any possible spread of fire. I would take this opportunity of appealing to the good sense of all concerned to see that bonfires are lit only in conditions in which no damage or loss will result.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is no burning desire for bonfires on the part of ratepayers in the Metropolitan borough of Lambeth, where in last year's Victory celebrations bonfires caused damage to road services costing £2,750 to repair?

Mr. Ede

I hope that the populace of Lambeth will be more restrained on this occasion.

Mr. Skeffinģton-Lodge

Will the Minister bear in mind that there is practically no material for bonfires nowadays which is not salvage material and that all material is valuable for that reason?

Mr. Ede

I do not think it is necessary for me to bear it in mind, but I hope the public will bear it in mind.