asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to a fire which recently occurred at Peacehaven; whether he is aware that two brigades refused to respond to a call, resulting in the property being destroyed; and whether he has any statement to make on the matter?

I have obtained a report from the chief constable of East Sussex and am informed that the two fire brigades did not attend because the fire was outside their districts. It rests with the local authority to provide, or to arrange with other local authorities to provide, any necessary fire protection.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider that the time has now arrived when the question of fire brigade organisation should have the attention of His Majesty's Government?