HC Deb 23 June 1953 vol 516 cc1664-5
20. Mr. Hannan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the average cost of replacing an out-of-date, ball-type fire hydrant with the present standardised type; and the estimated cost of standardising all fire hydrants in Scotland.

Mr. Henderson Stewart

The average cost of replacing a ball-type hydrant by the standardised type is about £30. The estimated cost of standardising the 62,000 non-standard hydrants at present existing in Scotland would be upwards of £1½ million.

Mr. Hannan

Is the Joint Undersecretary aware that in his report on the fire services in 1952 the Chief Inspector for Scotland said that little had been done in regard to these conversions? I hope that the hon. Gentleman will stress how important it is that when men go to an incident they should not feel a sense of frustration by having to stand by and watch a fire burning because they cannot operate their appliances on out-of-date connections.

Mr. Stewart

I warmly agree with the hon. Gentleman. We are quite aware of that and we are doing what we can, within the resources at our disposal, to improve the equipment.

21. Mr. Hannan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many fire hydrants there are in Scotland; how many are fitted with standardised outlets; how many were converted last year for the use of standardised standpipes; how many remain to be so converted; and how many of the ball-type need replacement for the use of standardized equipment.

Mr. Henderson Stewart

It is estimated that there were 85,000 fire hydrants in Scotland at the end of last year, of which about 23,000 were fitted with standardised outlets. The number converted last year was 4,482. The number of hydrants remaining to be converted or replaced is thus about 62,000. of which about two-thirds are of the ball-type variety which cannot be converted and will eventually have to be replaced.

Mr. Hannan

Will the hon. Gentleman draw the attention of his right hon. Friend to these figures and ask him to get a move on with this most important work in order to protect, at factories and ports, exports and produce which are so important to our economic life?

Mr. Stewart

I hope that when the Government are able to do all this work and spend all this money, they will not be criticised, as they have been on another fire service matter this afternoon.