Local authorities were instructed in a circular in August, 1940, to review the air-raid precautions necessary in residential institutions provided in connection with the Government's evacuation scheme, and the authorities responsible were required to satisfy themselves that reasonable steps were taken to provide fire-fighting equipment and to train personnel against the risk of fire. In approving residential premises for evacuation purposes my Regional staffs have always in mind the question of means of rapid escape in the event of fire.