§ 3.21 p.m.
§ Lord CROOKMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking in support of Fire Safety Week, 1st to 6th November next, now being organised by the Central Fire Liaison Panel.
§ Lord HARRIS of GREENWICHMy Lords, we understand that these activities, the object of which is to involve industry and commerce increasingly in fire safety, are being organised only on a modest scale this year. Local fire liaison panels will aim to concentrate some of their usual activities into the week rather than at other times. The Government will give what support they can, and we have already responded to requests from two panels to provide conference speakers.
§ Lord CROOKMy Lords, while thanking my noble friend for that reply, may I ask him whether he is aware of the great interest, on all sides of the House, in 1963 in securing co-operation to put through the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act, and of the worry of a large number of Members of this House during this past week on seeing the fire officers' report to his Department showing that there has been no significant reduction in the number of premises still in need of certification? After 13 years have gone by, there are still 33,604 offices and shops in need of certification, and, perhaps even more amazing, 838 railway premises.
§ Lord HARRIS of GREENWICHYes, my Lords, my noble friend is quite right; this is a serious matter. I do not think there is any occasion for any complacency when direct losses from fire amount to 950 over £200 million a year. Certainly we are well seized of the problem, and are doing what we can to assist in the matter.