§ Mr. Footasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the opinion expressed by the Councils of Cities Association regarding the Fire Brigades (Scottish Regional) Order and the representations made to him on behalf of the said association by the town clerk of Edinburgh; and whether he will cause this order to be so amended as to restore to the cities concerned their right to charge for the services of their fire brigades attending fires in the areas of adjoining local authorities?
§ Mr. ColvilleThe legal aspects of the opinion expressed by the Councils of Cities Association are at present under examination, but I can assure the hon. Member that there is no intention of taking away from fire authorities their rights to charge for the services of their fire brigades in attending out-of-district fires either under a scheme of local cover or a mutual assistance scheme. The 561W scheme made under the Fire Brigades (Scottish Regional) Order does not become operative unless the fire fighting resources available under local or mutual assistance arrangements are inadequate, and so far as these arrangements are adequate, payments may be made in the ordinary way even in respect of fires caused by enemy action.