§ 20. Mr. Moateasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can now indicate what programme he has in mind with regard to the designation of buildings under the Fire Precautions Act; whether he has yet decided what particular categories of buildings shall be designated; when a designation order with regard to such categories is likely to be made; and if, in this field, he will give urgent attention to school buildings.
§ Mr. SharplesThe Act will first be applied to hotels and boarding houses. My right hon Friend hopes to make the necessary orders in the next few weeks. The Central Fire Brigades Advisory Councils are considering which classes of premises should next be brought under control.
§ Mr. MoateI am sure that many people will welcome the designation of those categories of buildings. Does my hon. Friend recall the survey undertaken last year which showed that many head teachers in schools did not take the risk of fire seriously and that fire drills were undertaken infrequently and sometimes not at all, yet last year there was a serious increase in the number of large fires in schools? Will my hon. Friend do his utmost to see that schools are designated under the Act as soon as possible?
§ Mr. SharplesThe considerations advanced by my hon. Friend will be taken into account by the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Councils. Although there are a large number of fires in schools in which property is damaged, fortunately the number of casualties is very small.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesWhile it is proper for the Home Department to consider liaison at local level concerning schools, may I ask the hon. Gentleman to consult the Department of Education and Science, which designs schools which are erected to a pattern in different parts of the country, because it is apparent that little thought has been given to fire precautions before they are designed? I suggest that the Department's inspectors could well consult the D.E.S.
§ Mr. SharplesYes, I will certainly consider the hon. Gentleman's sugestion.