Mr. Rostron Duckworthasked the Home Secretary whether he will consider recommending to small districts, particularly villages, the desirability of pooling all anti-incendiary apparatus so as to ensure that those householders who are less well supplied with equipment may be helped by others who are better provided?
§ Sir J. AndersonWhere a rural district council submits an air-raid fire precautions scheme to my Department any emergency fire-fighting appliances, including hand-pumping appliances, provided by the Government are placed in the charge of the fire authority. The pooling of fire-fighting appliances obtained by householders at their own expense is primarily a matter for local arrangement, and I have no doubt that, rural district councils, as fire authorities, will be ready to help with arrangements for joint use of householders' appliances wherever possible.
§ Mr. Marshallasked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the proved quali- 1109W ties of the stirrup-pump as a fire-fighting appliance, he will take the necessary steps to ensure that adequate supplies are manufactured and made available for the public?
§ Sir J. AndersonApart from supplies to local authorities, substantial issues of these pumps have been and are being made for distribution through local authorities to the supplementary fire parties which are being formed throughout the country. In addition, further large orders have been placed; but I am afraid that some time is bound to elapse before supply can overtake the present overwhelming demands for these pumps.