§ 2.40 p.m.
§ LORD LEATHERLANDMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the very extensive damage caused by fire is receiving urgent attention; whether modern methods of fire-fighting are being employed to the fullest possible extent; and whether, in terms of personnel and appliances, the fire brigades of the country are as well equipped as they need to be.]
§ THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE, HOME OFFICE (LORD STONHAM)My Lords, the loss of life and of property by fire is a matter of continuing concern to Her Majesty's Government. There has been a substantial extension of fire prevention legislation in recent years, and fire prevention is an increasingly important and onerous part of the work of fire brigades. Methods of fire-fighting are kept under constant review by the Government, in consultation with the fire authorities. There are shortages of manpower in some brigades, but I have no knowledge of any general deficiencies in the provision of fire appliances. In view of the need to enable the Fire Service to tackle its new and growing problems more successfully, and to ensure the increasing efficiency of the service for the future, my right honourable friends the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Scotland have recently announced their decision to appoint a Departmental Committee to inquire into the Fire Service in Great Britain.
§ LORD LEATHERLANDMy Lords, I thank my noble friend for that encouraging reply. Will the Committee which is now to investigate the Fire Service pay special regard to some of the new methods of fire-fighting which have been devised, particularly the use of inert gases in place of water for fire extinguishing? Will they also consider the need for more radio sets on the fire ground, and perhaps for more light breathing apparatus? And bearing in mind traffic congestion, will they consider 476 the dispersal of fire stations so that fire engines do not have to travel so far to the seat of the fire?
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, the terms of reference of the Departmental Committee fall under four heads and are very wide, the first relating to the principles which have governed the organisation of the Fire Service in Britain. But among the terms of reference are measures for maintaining its efficiency; the arrangements for recruiting and training its members, and ensuring that the best use is made of the manpower available. Therefore, I should have thought that all the matters mentioned by my noble friend will be covered in the Committee's terms of reference.
§ LORD LEATHERLANDMy Lords, once again I thank my noble friend, and am quite content to await the deliberations of the Committee. But, in the meantime, would he mind if I sent him a copy of a paper which I presented to the Chief Fire Officers' Conference three years ago? He may care to pass that on to the Committee.
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, I should be delighted to receive anything that my noble friend may send me in this regard. But I would mention that the use of inert gas generators and such things as high expansion foam and their increasing use, which he mentioned in his first supplementary, will not wait on the Departmental Committee; they are being developed now.