§ 18. Mr. Gardnerasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will advise local authorities to seek discussions with the insurance companies with a view to securing reductions in the premiums payable on fire insurance policies for houses owned by them where the electrical wiring systems in the houses concerned conform to the appropriate safety standards.
§ Mr. MellishThis is a matter for the local authority associations. My right hon. Friend has no reason to think that they need further advice on the subject at this time, but I have no doubt that they will take note of the question.
§ Mr. GardnerIs my hon. Friend aware of the number of fires caused by faulty electrical installations? Would it 1404 not be a good thing to encourage insurance companies to offer this kind of incentive both to local authorities and householders in order to ensure proper and safe installations, especially in new houses?
§ Mr. MellishMy hon. Friend's Question related only to local authorities. The advice that I have received is that local authorities do a first-class job of work in the houses under their control. As far as I know, they already enjoy reduced rates of insurance.
§ Sir G. NabarroIs the hon. Member aware that what is really wrong is that the appropriate standards referred to in the Question have hardly been amended since 1937, and that what is required is a total revision of all electrical wiring standards for houses to bring them up to contemporary standards of good quality and excellence?
§ Mr. MellishThat may be so—
§ Sir G. NabarroIt is so.
§ Mr. MellishIt does not follow that because the hon. Member expresses a view he is right, as we know only too well. I give an undertaking on behalf of my right hon. Friend that we shall discuss this matter with local authority associations and see what their evidence is on this very important matter.