HC Deb 04 March 1964 vol 690 cc1293-5
26. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the number of human lives lost in fires in Scotland during each of the last 10 years; what are the reasons for the increase in such losses during recent years; and what steps he has taken and proposes to take to minimise such losses.

Lady Tweedsmuir

I am circulating the figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I am unable to identify with certainty the factors which have contributed to the regrettable increase in the last two years but my Department is studying the problem in consultation with the Joint Fire Research Organisation.

Meanwhile, legislation has recently been passed to reduce fire risks in factories, and in offices, shops and railway premises, and similar legislation is being considered for residential establishments she break them down to show how much of this small debt is due to the activities of the Napier firm? May we expect some reduction as a result of the passing, we hope very soon, of the Hire Purchase Bill?

Lady Tweedsmuir

I do not think that I will detain the House by reading all these figures, but I will give the general trend. There has certainly been a considerable increase since 1951. There are no separate statistics of decrees obtained in respect of hire-purchase debts. Therefore, I could not give an answer in reference to the one company mentioned by the hon. Gentleman. I agree that the Bill now before the House should give, much greater safeguards to the consumer.

The following are the figures:

and place; of resort: new building standards will shortly come into operation and more publicity is being given to fire prevention.

Mr. Hughes

Will the noble Lady give figures which show that there is a real and dangerous increase in the number of fires occurring in Scotland? Does she deny that this is due to the firemen—these skilled and brave men—being forced to divert their energies, instead of concentrating on the work for which they were especially trained?

Lady Tweedsmuir

I said that I am circulating the figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I gave an indication that the last two years have shown an increase. I quite agree, as I am sure the House will agree, that the work of fire prevention and fire fighting is one of the most gallant jobs which can be undertaken. I assure the hon. and learned Gentleman that more training is being done in fire prevention.

Mr. Bence

Is the noble Lady aware that there has been a tremendous increase in the load placed on domestic electrical wiring systems because of the increased use of electrical appliances in homes? Does not she think that the time has arrived when we should establish a fire inspection service so that the insulation and bonding of electrical circuits in factories, offices and homes could be examined, as this is frequently the cause of fires, particularly in the homes?

Lady Tweedsmuir

I agree that a large proportion of fires occur in homes. I said that consultations are taking place now about whether we can have further legislation on fire prevention.

Mr. Dempsey

Is the noble Lady aware that there has been an alarming increase in fires occurring in dwelling houses? Does she realise that one of the main reasons is lack of liaison between local authority architects, for example, and fire prevention services? Will she consider referring to the Secretary of State the suggestion that there should be better liaison so that before housing is approved the Ministry is satisfied that the fire prevention department of a local authority has vetted it?

Lady Tweedsmuir

Consultations are going on now between the local authorities and all those interested about the type of legislation we may have, and of course there are the new building standards in respect of new homes.

Mr. Hughes

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the replies to both those Questions, I wish to give notice that I shall raise the matter during the debate on the appropriate Scottish Vote.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. and learned Gentleman must give notice with regard to one Question and not two at once.

The following are the figures:

Human lives lost in fires in Scotland
Year Firemen Others
1954 — 66
1955 1 50
1956 — 65
1957 1 61
1958 1 52
1959 — 61
1960 15 71
1961 — 63
1962 3 85
1963 2 110