§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the growing practice of demolition contractors burning demolished and fractured timber on demolition sites and leaving these fires burning at night with danger to surrounding buildings and children, and that this happened on a site off Great Queen Street, Long Acre, on Thursday, 8th December; and whether he will request the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis to take action to prevent this, in view of the danger of the spread of fires with resultant damage to life and limb and to property.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsI understand that the fire brigade was called to a demolition site in Drury Lane at 5.10 p.m. on 7th December but that the fire was found to be under control and that no action was called for. When necessary, the police already take such steps as are appropriate to see that damage to life and limb and to property does not occur in this way, but I am not aware that this is an increasing problem.