HL Deb 25 January 1984 vol 447 cc235-6

2.45 p.m.

Lord Hale

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the number of serious fires at domestic premises where attempts at home industry are being carried on without any special insurance against fire or accident has recently increased; and whether they will introduce regulations for increased safety with aid for additional insurance costs where practicable.

Lord Elton

My Lords, such information as is available does not suggest that there has been any increase in recent years in the frequency with which serious fires occur in these and similar premises. No information is available as to whether the premises are insured against fire or accident.

The Government believe that the present law is adequate to secure the safety of those occupying premises of this type. We are however reviewing the way in which we seek to identify and inspect small premises for fire and safety hazards in the light of the tragic fires which occurred recently in the Mile End Road and Gravesend. We have no proposals to provide aid for additional insurance costs in respect of those and other similar premises.

Lord Hale

My Lords, may I thank the noble Lord for that information. The Question clearly relates to the Fire Precautions Act 1971. We had a long-drawn-out debate and discussion during the passage of that legislation about what was being done regarding the registration of premises against fire, and about the fire precautions in designated premises. The answer to the last Question that I put down on the matter was that 11,526 premises had been inspected and that at least 10,000 more which had been partially inspected would need certificates. May I ask how many certificates have been issued and what has happened to this extraordinarily useful precaution which seems to have fallen to some extent in abeyance?

Lord Elton

My Lords, I will be in a better position to reassure the noble Lord when I come to answer his next Question. I can tell him at this stage that we believe that the process of inspection is proceeding apace. In fact, about 95 per cent. of the premises to which the noble Lord is referring have already been inspected.