POWER OF SECRETARY OF STATE TO MAKE REGULATIONS ABOUT FIRE PRECAUTIONS (Hansard, 10 March 1971)

§ Mr. Sharples
I beg to move Amendment No. 4, in page 17, line 43, leave out 'paragraphs (d) and (e)' and insert 'paragraph (d)'.
This Amendment is consequential on the Government Amendment to Clause 2 which replaced the definition of churches in England and Wales by one definition covering Britain. There was a certain amount of discussion on this matter in Committee, and this Amendment has resulted from it.

§ Mr. Buchanan-Smith
I beg to move Amendment No. 6, in page 18, line 20, at end insert: (e) for prohibiting altogether the presence or use in the premises of furniture or equipment of any specified description, or prohibiting its presence or use unless specified standards or conditions are complied with. With this Amendment it will be convenient to take Amendment No. 14, in Clause 43, page 40, line 20, at end insert: 'furniture' includes furnishings (including wall-coverings and ceiling-coverings of all sorts, as well as floor-coverings). This Amendment deals with the power of the Secretary of State to make regula- 516 tions. Subsection (3) of Clause 12 does not restrict the generality of the powers of the Secretary of State in Cause 12(1) to make regulations as to precautions to be taken or observed in relation to the risk to persons in case of fire". An Amendment was moved in Committee by my hon. Friend the Member for Faversham (Mr. Moate) which showed that there would be advantage in including a special provision in the subsection dealing with furniture and equipment to make it clear beyond doubt that the regulations under the Clause would need to include requirements relating to such matters.
Amendment No. 14 to Clause 43 defines "furniture" as including furnishings, wall-coverings and ceiling-coverings of all sorts, as well as floor-coverings". I hope that our Amendment will take account of the point which was put in Committee by the hon. Member for Rutherglen (Mr. Gregor Mackenzie) relating to internal wall and ceiling finishes as well as to drapes, curtains, etc., which he desired to be included.

§ Mr. Sharples
I beg to move Amendment No. 7, in page 18, line 39, at end insert 'under this section'.
This is a drafting Amendment. It ensures that the provisions of Clause 12(6) relating to penalties apply to offences covered by regulations made by the Secretary of State under the Clause.