HC Deb 10 December 1953 vol 521 cc2166-7
31. Major Legge-Bourke

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the proportion of motor fuel used by the fire services in attending fires in 1951 and 1952 to the total motor fuel consumption of the service; and what was the total gallonage used in those years.

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

I regret that the information is not available, since no central record is kept of the fuel consumed by the local authorities' fire brigades.

Major Legge-Bourke

Can my right hon. and learned Friend say whether or not the amount of petrol used is more than it used to be for purposes other than those for dealing with fires?

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

As I explained to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Renfrew, East (Sir G. Lloyd), the service is now denationalised and there is no central record, so I cannot help my hon. and gallant Friend.

Mr. Bottomley

Is the Home Secretary aware that hon. Members on this side are whole-heartedly behind him in rejecting the hostile Questions which have been directed against gallant firemen? Will he resist pressure from his hon. Friends to reintroduce horse-drawn fire vehicles?

Major Legge-Bourke

On a point of order. The right hon. Member for Rochester and Chatham (Mr. Bottomley) referred to my Question as being a hostile one—

Mr. Bottomley

I said "hostile Questions."

Major Legge-Bourke

The right hon. Member referred to my Question being a hostile Question. May I ask for that to be withdrawn? All I asked for were facts.

Mr. Speaker

As I heard the right hon. Gentleman, he spoke of hostile questions in general. That does not imply anything which needs to be withdrawn.

LIST SHOWING PROPORTION OF WHOLE-TIME OFFICERS TO MEN
— Strength at 31st December, 1949 Strength at 31st December, 1950 Strength at 31st December, 1951 Strength at 31st December, 1952
Officers … … … 1,542 1,606 1,630 1,634
Other ranks … … 15,784 16,255 16,345 16,567