HC Deb 20 May 1971 vol 817 c1494
6. Mr. Tilney

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has designed to lessen fire damage to property in Great Britain in view of the damage to the economy resulting from the present level of destruction.

Mr. Maudling

Protection of property against fire is primarily a matter for owners and their insurers. Help from fire authorities is freely available, and legislation directed to the protection of life contributes to the protection of property. The Home Office will continue to encourage and co-ordinate publicity, covering all aspects of fire safety, whether undertaken by central and local government insurance interests or other bodies.

Mr. Tilney

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in the first three months of this year fire losses were 25 per cent. greater than last year? Is this not a burden on our economy? Will he consult our right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer and point out that it would be very helpful if 100 per cent. of the cost of specific fire-fighting equipment could be written off by companies as they so wished, and not just in the development areas?

Mr. Maudling

I think that I am right in saying that provision is included in the Budget which will help in this matter when it becomes effective. Apart from that, we are preparing a voluntary code of practice for these matters. However, primarily people must be responsible for taking their own precautions, and the insurance companies are normally pretty hot on making sure that they do so.