HC Deb 20 June 1963 vol 679 cc632-3
23. Mr. Worsley

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the concern about the inadequacy of the law for the protection of life against fire at residential establishments and places of resort, such as clubs; and whether he will seek to amend it.

Mr. Brooke

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Minister of Housing and Local Government and I have examined the law applying to premises of this kind and have concluded that it needs to be both strengthened and rationalised. It is proposed to discuss with the local government organisations and other interested bodies the form that amending legislation should take.

Mr. Worsley

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. Is he aware that it will reassure many people in the West Riding and elsewhere who are very concerned about this matter? Will he make it a matter of urgency, for discussions of this sort could take a very long time?

Mr. Brooke

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for what he has said. This is extremely important, but if we are to get our plans right, we must have time to discuss them with the local authority associations.