§ 37. Mr. Paul B. Roseasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will seek to make it compulsory for all lifts in new multi-storey office blocks and flats to carry an internal telephone or alarm system.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (Mr. Robert Mellish)My right hon. Friend does not think that this is necessary. There is a British Standard for electric lifts. To comply with it passenger lifts must carry a telephone or alarm system operative from the lift car. If my hon. Friend has in mind any case in which the British Standard is not being met perhaps he would send details to me, if the new building is a block of flats, or to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour if it is a block of offices.
§ Mr. RoseIs my hon. Friend aware that this has caused a great deal of anguish to many old people, some of whom are afraid of using lifts in multi-storey flats? Recently, a number of office workers in Manchester were forced to stay more than an hour in a lift before help was called. Does not my hon. Friend believe that the time is ripe to enforce this standard in all multi-storey offices and flats?
§ Mr. MellishIf my hon. Friend will send me details of cases that he has in mind, I will be glad to look into them. I am advised that the British Standard is, by and large, strictly observed and we have had no complaints before.