§ Mr. Sharpasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has taken place in the discussions as to the degree of delegation of fire service duties within county areas; and whether he is satisfied that the county council of the West Riding of Yorkshire is suited for the operation of a fire service in that party of the county from which the county boroughs have been excluded.
§ Mr. EdeI appreciate the importance of the point raised by my hon. Friend, but I am not yet in a position to say what provision the Fire Service Bill (which I hope shortly to introduce) will contain for enabling local authorities to deal with it. Pending the introduction of the Bill and subsequent discussion with the local authorities concerned, I cannot express any opinion as to what may prove to be the best arrangements in the West Riding of Yorkshire.