§ 43. Brigadier Medlicottasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been drawn to the number of fires which have caused deaths in private dwellings in recent months; and if he will have inquiries made in the main causes of these outbreaks, with a view to considering whether a new type of safety regulation is needed to lessen the dangers of fire in private dwellings.
§ Mr. de FreitasI am not aware of any significant increase in the number of such fires recently; the main causes of fires in private dwellings are well established, they are—open grates, electrical apparatus, smoking, in that order. It is my hope that the publicity measures which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary have been taking will reduce the number of deaths from this cause. I do not think that the subject can readily be dealt with by regulations, but if the hon. and gallant Member has any suggestions to make I shall be very glad to consider them.