§ 5. Mr. Hannanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give an assurance that some form of fire prevention is available in all hospitals under his control, especially mental and geriatric hospitals and what periodic steps are taken to ensure their maintenance and efficiency.
§ Mr. MillanYes, Sir. All hospitals must maintain adequate safeguards against fire and review them at least twice a year. Their attention has been directed specially to the fire safety problems of mental hospitals, and they have been asked to take account of the difficulties of moving some categories of patients, such as old people, to different levels in the event of an emergency. Detailed arrangements for individual hospitals are the responsibility of the board of management which consult as necessary with the area firemaster.
§ Mr. HannanWhile thanking my hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask him to bear in mind the terrible tragedy at Sheldon Hospital recently? Arising from this, would he not agree that this incident, together with others, has pointed to the great urgency for the receipt of the Holroyd Report, dealing with fire prevention?
§ Mr. MillanFollowing the tragedy at Sheldon, my Department drew the attention of regional hospital boards to this, asking them to look at their current fire arrangements. We are also carrying out a review of our current instructions on fire precautions.