asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the gross cost of fire services to local authorities and His Majesty's Government together, in 1938-39 and 1948-49, respectively.

The gross cost in 1948-49 of the fire services in England and Wales was approximately £12,000,000, of which approximately £3,200,000 was borne by the Exchequer. Information for the year 1938-39 is not available; there was not then any Government grant in aid of fire brigade expenditure.

As it is generally admitted that there has been a very large increase in the cost of these services, will the right hon. Gentleman consider a scheme for complete decentralisation to focal authorities?

They are entirely local services now.

Is the right lion. Gentleman aware that the figures for 1948-49 put the sum for a course for students at the National Fire Service College at £40 a week? Will he see that that sort of expenditure is curtailed?

Yes, Sir, I have the problem of the National Fire Service College very much in mind.