HC Deb 23 January 1951 vol 483 c4
6. Mr. Sutcliffe

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will increase the numbers of his Department's constabulary as a safeguard against the outbreak of fire where valuable material is stored.

Mr. Strachey

Yes, Sir. In order to promote this object, pay increases have recently been authorised for the War Department constabulary, and more married quarters are becoming available.

Mr. Sutcliffe

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that a serious aspect of this shortage of men has been the fact that it has been impossible for them to inspect the inside of the buildings with anything like regularity, and that therefore a fire could start and be unobserved for some time before anybody was aware of it?

Mr. Strachey

We do, of course, wish to increase the numbers of these constables.

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