36. Colonel Wheatleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the fact that county councils and county boroughs are fire authorities, he will consider introducing legislation to make them also fire prevention authorities.
§ Mr. EdeThe functions of district councils relating to fire prevention were expressly preserved by the proviso to Section 4 of the Fire Services Act, 1947, and, as at present advised, I do not think that any amendment of that Section is needed.
Colonel WheatleyIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that under the present arrangement fire officers are experiencing considerable difficulty, particularly in large areas of heathland which occasion a good deal of danger to forestry and to 1076 dwelling houses? Will the right hon. Gentleman kindly look into the matter again to see whether under the present arrangement fire officers are enabled to see that these dangerous places are dealt with, quite apart from merely giving advice?
§ Mr. EdeI hope that if there are particular difficulties all the authorities concerned will meet together with the fire authority to discuss the subject.
§ Mr. Godfrey NicholsonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are large areas of commons and heathland, as my hon. and gallant Friend says, where fires are constantly breaking out and where there is no fire prevention service? From the point of view of saving unnecessary labour in the fire brigades and preserving the beauty of our national assets, could not some fire prevention service be instituted?
§ Mr. EdeThe fire service authority, namely, the county council, has its duties; so have the district councils. They should co-operate to ensure that as little damage as possible is done.