22. Mr. J. Wellsasked the Secretary of State for War if fireguards are provided in all military families' hostels which have open gas or electric fires; and if the fireguards are provided with devices for fixing them to walls.
§ Mr. ProfumoFixed fireguards are provided in all military families' hostels that have open fires. In one hostel where rooms are heated by gas or electric fires, nursery fireguards which can be fixed to the wall are provided on the request of the families. In another hostel electric fires are fixed to the wall out of the reach of children.
Mr. WellsIs my right hon. Friend really sure that these fixings are adequate? As a result of recent observations, I have come to the conclusion that they are not, and I should be glad if my right hon. Friend would look into the matter again and ensure that fireguards are provided free of charge to Service families.
§ Mr. ProfumoI know that my right hon. Friend made a visit and, I think, found a fireguard which was not properly fixed. I can only say that we keep a fairly continuous watch but that if something goes wrong with a fixture, we require and expect that the family will let the authorities know.