HC Deb 25 May 1972 vol 837 cc1605-7
8. Mr. Wiggin

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he has given to chief fire officers on the implementation of the Fire Precautions Act, 1971, with respect to hotels and boarding houses.

18. Mr. Blaker

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice he is now giving to chief fire officers about the implementation of the Code of Fire Precautions Practice for Hotels and Boarding Houses.

39. Mr. Goodhart

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations he is now having with chief fire officers about the application of the Code of Fire Precautions for Hotels and Boarding Houses.

43. Mr. Miscampbell

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice he has given to chief fire officers about the application of the Code of Fire Precautions for Hotels and Boarding Houses.

Mr. Lane

Chief fire officers have received copies of two Home Office circulars to fire authorities and of the Department's published guide dealing with the application of the Act to hotels and boarding houses, and will have a copy of a further circular about to be issued to fire authorities recommending local consultations with hotel and boarding house keepers. Many of these officers have attended special conferences on the Act at fire service colleges.

Mr. Wiggin

Is my hon. Friend aware of the great dismay and apprehension that has been spread among hotel and guest house keepers as a result of the publication of these regulations, on the basis that if they are to be adhered to to the very letter the cost in some cases could be prohibitive? Why has it taken so long to institute further consultations with chief fire officers to interpret the regulations properly?

Mr. Lane

Consultations have been going on all the time. I am aware of the concern and that is why we are issuing, in I hope two weeks time, a further circular. However, the paramount consideration must be the safety of the public. Subject to that, fire authorities may require only what is reasonable in the circumstances of each particular case.

Mr. Blaker

While we agree with what my hon. Friend has said about the paramount consideration, may I ask whether his forthcoming circular will take into account the fact that it is neither realistic nor necessary to insist on the same sort of fire-fighting apparatus and means of escape in many existing small hotels or boarding houses as in large new hotels?

Mr. Lane

I hope that this will become better known. The code which the Questions mention is an indication of general standards to be aimed at but it is not intended to be an absolutely rigid requirement.

Mr. John Fraser

The Home Office has our full support in dealing with many buildings which constitute death traps, one-quarter of them in London rather than at the seaside. As many fire brigades still have an enormous backlog of work in dealing with the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act, may I ask the hon. Gentleman to say what steps have been taken to ensure that there is adequate staff in the fire service and in architects' departments to deal with the new responsibilities?

Mr. Lane

I hope we will make steady progress. The Act is to be applied urgently but not unreasonably.

Mr. Goodhart

May I remind those who are protesting about the new regulations that burning visitors is the worst possible advertisement for any city or resort? May I also remind chief fire officers that some hotels, even some with famous names, have a deplorable record when it comes to the provision of warning systems and fire escapes?

Mr. Lane

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for those comments. The important thing is to get these further local discussions going urgently.

16. Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what study he has made of the implications for the tourist industry of the implementation of the Fire Precautions Act.

Mr. Lane

Possible implications for the tourst industry were fully taken into account in the consultations leading up to this legislation. But the primary need was to take responsible steps to ensure the safety of guests in the event of fire.

Mr. Adley

Is my hon. Friend aware that no one who questions him about the problem in any way questions the Act itself or the need for it? Is he aware that in many areas the industry is a major employer of labour, particularly in the South West, in Scotland, and in Wales, and that there are jobs at stake? It is the little man who is likely to be hurst most. In his consultations with chief fire officers will my hon. Friend stress that the regulations must be implemented with care and not too rigorously, too vigorously and too quickly?

Mr. Lane

I have already said that the Act must be applied reasonably. I am aware of the misgivings. It is because I believe that closer consultation locally will help to remove them over the next few weeks that we are sending out another circular in a few weeks' time.

Mr. John Fraser

Will the Minister now answer my question about recruitment of staff? The London Fire Brigade is 500 short. What steps are being taken to keep establishments up to present requirements as well as to meet the requirements of the Fire Precautions Act?

Mr. Lane

I cannot promise any direct improvement. I hope that the staff will continue to grow so that it will be possible for fire authorities to take the Act in their stride. It necessarily means that the implementation of the Act is bound to be gradual.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

Will my hon. Friend promise to look at the implementation of the Act very carefully and to lend a willing ear to any justifiable pleas for help that may come from small hoteliers?

Mr. Lane

Yes, certainly. I shall be glad to meet any other hon. Members who are bothered and also to accept invitations to resorts during the summer to see matters for myself.