§ 37. Mr. R. Harrisasked the Minister of Health what powers fire authorities have under his regulations to inspect fire prevention arrangements in hospitals; whether he is satisfied that those powers are adequate; and to what extent it is customary for hospital management 1178 committees to seek the advice of chief fire officers of local authority fire brigades on fire prevention matters.
§ The Minister of Health (Mr. Iain Macleod)I have made no regulations on this subject. Although fire authorities have no power to enter hospitals without the agreement of hospital authorities, I have no evidence that this is ever unreasonably withheld. Indeed, the advice of fire brigade officers on fire prevention is widely sought by hospital authorities.