HC Deb 14 May 1970 vol 801 cc1424-6
2. Mr. Robert Howarth

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has studied United States practices of fire precautions in the home, details of which were sent to him by the hon. Member for Bolton, East, on 9th April; and if he will incorporate proposals covering homes in his forthcoming legislation to rationalise the law relating to fire precautions.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Elystan Morgan)

The legislation which my right hon. Friend proposes to introduce to strengthen and rationalise the law relating to fire precautions will cover certain types of living accommodation, but not dwelling houses in general. I have written to my hon. Friend.

Mr. Howarth

Does not my hon. Friend feel that the answer to the problem is publicity which will convince people of the dangers of fire in the home and the simple precautions they can take? What does he propose to do to step up the publicity?

Mr. Morgan

I believe that both legislation and publicity have a part to play. As my hon. Friend was told on 24th April, publicity about fire prevention in the home is undertaken by the Home Office, the fire authorities, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, fire protection associations and other organisations.

Sir G. Nabarro

Will the hon. Gentleman apply himself to the cause of umerable fires in the home—the overturning of obsolescent, mobile, outworn and outdated oil burners, particularly involving the death of children, and the use of electrical equipment which is often 30 or 40 years old and ought to have been scrapped many years ago?

Mr. Morgan

For once in my life, I do not dissent substantially from what the hon. Gentleman says.

3. Mr. Robert Howarth

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will initiate a publicity campaign to draw attention to existing cheap and effective automatic fire alarms suitable for use in the home with a view to reducing the loss of life, particularly among young children, through fires in the home.

Mr. Elystan Morgan

My right hon. Friend would not wish to discourage the use of alarms of the type which I under- stand my hon. Friend has in mind; but they have a number of limitations and he would not feel justified in recommending their general use.

Mr. Howarth

Is my hon. Friend aware that there are small alarms, many of them costing about 30s. each, which, if they were in wide use, would help prevent many of the tragic deaths so common in the middle of winter? Will he reconsider his answer?

Mr. Morgan

I am aware of this aspect, but the House should appreciate that most of the deaths in fire in the home are due to the effects of smoke and toxic products of combustion. Automatic fire alarms are most effective if activated by smoke, but many of the cheaper automatic alarms are activated not by smoke but by heat.

Mr. Lane

Arising from a previous reply given by the hon. Gentleman, may I ask whether he is aware that there is growing concern at the non-appearance yet of the promised legislation? Why the delay?

Mr. Morgan

I am afraid that the hon. Gentleman will have to await a statement on that matter.