§ Rear-Admiral Beamishasked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been drawn to the serious fires that have raged in some liberated towns on the Continent; whether the highly trained officers and men of the N.F.S., together with their floating and other equipment, have been placed at the disposal of the British and Allied Armies; to what extent these services have been accepted; and if it is intended to despatch fire-fighting units overseas.
§ Mr. A. HendersonWell-equipped and highly trained units of the Army Fire Service are a part of the British Forces now fighting in North-West Europe. They have provided efficient and adequate service and I am not aware that major fires have continued in any towns after they had been liberated. The National Fire Service hold in readiness a number of fire fighting columns and fire boat flotillas with full equipment. They have been placed at the disposal of the Supreme Allied Commander to be used when they are needed in any area in his command. My right hon. Friend is most grateful for the provision by the National Fire Service of this valuable reserve.