§ 26. Mr. Hannanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the reasons for the reduction in the replacement rate of appliances in the fire service; and what steps he proposes to take to restore the supply of new appliances to its former rate or to increase it.
§ Mr. N. MacphersonThe replacement of fire appliances is a matter for the fire authorities who have a statutory obligation to maintain an efficient fire service. My right hon. Friend has no reason to suppose that they are not doing so.
§ Mr. HannanIs the hon. Gentleman aware that in his own fire inspector's report for Scotland special mention is made of the fact that these appliances 1133 are in shorter supply than previously, and in view of the recent incidents in Glasgow, Liverpool and elsewhere, is it not right that men called upon to save lives should be supplied with the most modern and up-to-date appliances possible?
§ Mr. MacphersonThe inspector said that the amount of replacements of major fire appliances last year was less than in previous years, and that is so. Taken over a period of three years, however, it was greater than in the previous two three-year periods, and the number of other appliances bought in 1959 was greater than in 1956 or 1957.