asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fires are known to have occurred since the start of the present industrial dispute.

Up to 0900 on 24th November, 6,016 fires in the United Kingdom had been reported.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fires have been attended by (a) policemen, and (b) Service men since the start of the present industrial dispute.

I regret that the information requested at (a) is not available. The total number of calls in the United Kingdom attended by Service men up to 0900 on 24th November was 5,941.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the total value of damage to property in fires since the start of the present industrial dispute.

I regret that it is not possible for me to provide an estimate of the total value of property damaged by fire since 14th November 1977.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what comparison he has made between the number of fires and their cost representing the normal average and the situation since the start of the present industrial dispute.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on 25th November to the Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Lewis).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what contingency plans have been made to deal with non-fire emergencies usually attended by firemen, including motorway accidents in fog, during the present firemen's strike.

Normally, the Fire Service would attend non-fire emergencies only when summoned by one of the other emergency services—usually the police—and when warned for a specific task. In present circumstances, arrangements have been made with the other emergency services to provide or obtain the necessary assistance.