Mr. Watkinsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fires have taken place at Colbren, Breconshire, during the last two years, at which the fire service attended; what was the estimated amount of damage; how far the fire service had sufficient water to deal with the outbreaks; and what steps he has taken to satisfy himself that the fire service has a sufficient supply of water available in the event of any future outbreaks.
227W
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeI aminformed that there have been three such fires in the Colbren district since January, 1952; that the estimated damage was £2,000, £10 and £500, respectively; and that sufficient water was available on each occasion. Under the Fire Services Act, 1947, the responsibility for ensuring an adequate supply of water for fire-fighting rests with the fire authority, in this case the Breconshire and Radnorshire Joint Fire Brigade Committee; and, on the information before me, the Committee is fully alive to that responsibility.