§ Mr. McGovernasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will take steps to organise all absent property owners who have property in Glasgow, and see that the responsibility for defence against fire-bombs on their properties rests primarily with the owners, and order the local authorities to make billeting provision for these men and women and the adult members of their families?
§ Mr. E. BrownNo, Sir. The Fire Prevention (Business Premises) Order imposes the duty of making proper arrangements for dealing with fire bombs upon 711W the occupiers of the premises to which the Order may be applied. In the case of unoccupied business premises, and other premises outside the scope of the Order, the duty of making the necessary arrangements is placed upon local authorities generally, who are entitled to expect that owners of property as such will be no less ready to undertake fire prevention service than other citizens. If it is necessary to put into operation the provisions of the Civil Defence Services (Compulsory Enrolment) Order, owners of property will not be exempt from the obligation to perform such service.