HC Deb 21 December 1966 vol 738 cc1400-1
20. Mr. Doig

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many policemen have been injured in Scotland during each of the last five years while on duty.

Mr. Willis

As the Answer contains a table of figures, I shall, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Doig

Is my hon. Friend aware that the Police Federation is very concerned about the increase in the number of assaults upon policemen recently? Is he aware further that many of these assaults could have resulted in murder, but fortunately did not so result? An inch either way would have meant the difference between superficial injury and death.

Mr. Willis

I am aware that there has been an increase in the number of assaults upon the police. We are naturally concerned about this.

Following is the table of figures:

he will take steps to remedy these deficiencies.

Mr. Willis

Every Scottish brigade is equipped with breathing apparatus, although it is not held at all fire stations.

Mr. Dewar

Will my hon. Friend take steps to ensure that this apparatus is available to the smaller units, to avoid a situation like that which happened as a result of a fire about a month ago which tragically affected some of my constituents, when the Northern Fire Master had to comment on widespread Press reports that lives might have been saved if breathing apparatus had been available at one of these smaller stations?

Mr. Willis

I understand that, in the tragic circumstances of the fire at Stornoway, to which I think my hon. Friend is referring, it was the intense heat and collapse of the buildings which prevented firemen from gaining access and that the lack of breathing apparatus at that fire was not the cause of these deaths.