§ 28. Mr. W. Edwardsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now allow local authorities to demolish emergency water tanks where it is deemed necessary, particularly in east London where the tanks are a menace to public health.
§ Mr. SimonThe great majority of emergency water tanks in London have been derequisitioned. My right hon. Friend has no power to authorise local authorities to demolish them. Under the Civil Defence (Fire Services) (Water) Regulations, 1956, it is the function of the fire authority to maintain in good order those tanks which are likely to be serviceable in an emergency, unless previously demolished by the owner to whom they have reverted after derequisition.