§ Mr. HUTCHISONasked the Home Secretary whether, in order to put an end to the obsolete system of summoning fire brigades by firing maroons whereby much suffering is caused to nervous people, he will circularise local authorities recommending the installation of telephones to ensure that the brigade presents itself promptly on the occasion of an outbreak of fire?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe objections to maroons or syrens as a means of summoning a fire brigade are, I think, generally recognised, but neither I nor my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health would feel justified in urging on the smaller brigades the expenditure which the provision of telephones or bells to firemen's houses would entail.