§ Rear-Admiral Beamishasked the Home Secretary whether he will make a statement concerning fire prevention, bearing in mind that the average fire losses before the war exceeded £9,000,000 annually and that they have increased by more than 20 per cent. during the war; and whether he is making any plans in combination with the Fire Offices Committee to awaken the public conscience by propaganda, and prosecution in the cases of proved blame?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonI am in favour of all measures to impress upon the general public the need for reducing losses due to avoidable fires. I have therefore welcomed the proposed publicity campaign of the Fire Offices Committee and have asked all the authorities concerned to co-operate in every practicable way to ensure the success of the campaign.
§ Sir R. Gowerasked the Home Secretary whether he has considered the complaints made at a recent meeting of the Chatham Town Council concerning the recent cooperative laundry fire at Chatham and, particularly, those of Alderman Maynard, the former chief officer of the old Chatham fire brigade, which have been sent to him; and whether he has any statement to make regarding the matter?
§ Mr. MorrisonI am making inquiry and will communicate with my hon. Friend when I have more particulars.