HC Deb 13 April 1994 vol 241 cc204-5
19. Mr. Illsley

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish the report of the construction industry task force relating to fire safety.

Mr. Neil Hamilton

The working papers of all seven business task forces—including those of the construction group—were placed in the Library of the House on Wednesday 30 March.

Mr. Illsley

I am grateful to the Minister. Does he believe that there should be much wider publication of those papers, especially the paper relating to the construction industry task force in view of its serious recommendation for the repeal of the Fire Precautions Act 1971? If we repeal that Act, are not fire precautions and safety checks likely to be weakened?

Mr. Hamilton

I do not accept that for a moment. It is vital that we maintain proper regard for safety in any reforms that might take place, and that we will do. The recommendations of the construction industry task force have since been superseded by a new review of fire legislation and the organisation of fire safety enforcement. Mr. Alf Thompson, the chief officer of the Durham fire service, is one of the five members of the team involved, so I can assure the hon. Gentleman that the concerns of professionals will be taken properly into account.