Mr. W. Joseph Stewartasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that many local authorities are concerned about the-serious burden to be thrown upon the ratepayers, particularly in rural districts, as the result of the passing of the Fire Brigades Act, 1938; that hitherto volunteer fire brigades have been largely maintained by contributions received from owners of properties involved in fires, usually through insurance companies, but under this Act no claims against an owner can be made, so that in the absence of any voluntary offer from insurance companies the whole of the maintenance costs, etc., will fall upon the local rates; and will he inquire into the matter with a view to preventing any additional burden falling upon areas where the local rates are already too high?
§ Sir S. HoareThe point to which the hon. Member calls attention was not overlooked when the Bill was before Parliament. The considerations for and against this provision were fully debated, and Parliament decided in favour of the principle that the Fire Service should be a public service available to all ratepayers and should not be dependent on the 763W willingness of property owners or insurance companies to contribute. I know of no reason for thinking that the conclusion reached by Parliament last year requires reconsideration.