§ 13. Sir John Tilneyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to ensure safety from fire in roofed-over city shopping centres.
§ Mr. LaneFire safety in such premises is secured partly through the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act 1963, enforced by the fire authorities, and partly through the Building Regulations, enforced by the building authorities. A code of practice, drawn up by a Home Office working party, was circulated to those authorities for their guidance earlier this year. Research into special problems of fire safety in shopping centres is continuing.
§ Sir John TilneyIs my hon. Friend aware that there are now many new roofed-in shopping centres and that there is a danger from fire in such closed-in areas because smoke is not able to get out very easily?
§ Mr. LaneYes, that is certainly the case. The research we are carrying out at the Fire Research Station is particularly concerned with the control of smoke-spread. I hope that this, and the recent guide, will be very helpful.