§ Sir F. Fremantleasked the Home Secretary what protests he has received from various water undertakings against the instruction of his fire service department on standardisation of fire hydrants, submitting that, in some respects, these proposals are not practicable; and whether he will arrange for close co-operation in 1961W future between the National Fire Service and the British Waterworks Association, especially in matters of which the water undertakings are alone fully cognisant?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonSo far as can be traced, two communications objecting to points in the instruction have been received, both through the association. I think there may be some misapprehension as to the scope of the instruction, and I am sending my hon. Friend a copy. As he will see, standardisation of fire hydrants is ruled out as impracticable for the present, and what is suggested in that respect is that current replacements should take a form consistent with an ultimate policy of standardisation, I regret that the British Waterworks Association were not consulted on the subject of the instruction before it was issued. I understand that they have certain representations to make to me. I can assure my hon. Friend that when these reach me they will receive my most careful consideration.