§ 19. Mr. Dodds-Parkerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason an official test fire alarm was made during working hours on Tuesday, 3rd April, at Heythorp College, near Enstone, Oxfordshire.
§ Mr. de FreitasThis was a test of the speed and efficiency of the response of the fire brigade to a call. It was made at the request of H.M. Inspector of Fire Services during an inspection of the brigade.
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerAs the majority of those concerned had to travel a long distance, and were volunteers, would it not be possible to conduct future tests at the end of normal working hours?
§ Mr. de FreitasNo, Sir. These tests are not held often, but when they are held, they are expressly held during working hours, because, unfortunately, fires do not occur only after hours.