HL Deb 08 April 1970 vol 309 cc145-7
LORD CHORLEY

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether a report on the Palace of Westminster has ever been made by a fire prevention officer, and if so, when.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DE-FENCE, R.A.F. (LORD WINTERBOTTOM)

My Lords, annual fire inspections are carried out, and reports made, by fire officers of the Ministry of Public Building and Works. Their last report was produced in November of last year. In addition, inspections are made from time to time by the London Fire Brigade and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Factories.

LORD CHORLEY

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that Answer, which up to a point is reassuring. But can he tell me whether the congestion caused by the parking of the very considerable number of private cars, as well as delivery vans, in the narrow courts and around the kitchens has even been looked at from the point of view of fire-fighting? And does not the noble Lord agree that at certain times of the day the congestion is so bad there that it would be quite impossible to get a fire-fighting appliance into several of those courts, let alone operate it for the purpose of quelling flames and, possibly, having to rescue members of the staff who were trapped?

LORD WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, I think the noble Lord has made a valid point. I will see that my right honourable friend the Minister of Public Building and Works is asked to look into it.

LORD LEATHERLAND

My Lords, may I ask my noble friend whether I heard him aright when I thought he said that the annual inspection took place in November of each year? And is this associated in any way with the fact that a very effective force of fire-prevention officers toured the vaults of this Palace on November 5, 1605?

LORD WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, the report was published in November; the precautions were taken earlier.

BARONESS WOOTTON OF ABINGER

My Lords, can my noble friend tell us whether the fire-prevention officers have given any attention to the possibility of what would happen if there were a fire at the time of the State Opening of Parliament, with the crowded condition of this Chamber?

LORD WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, that point, too, I will bring to the notice of my right honourable friend.

LORD STONHAM

My Lords, can my noble friend say under what powers the factory inspector makes his inspection every year?

LORD WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, I cannot say, but I am certain that he is empowered to do so.

LORD STONHAM

My Lords, can my noble friend say, then, whether it is an inspection with regard to "a place of work"?

LORD WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, I presume that that is the case; but if not I will inform my noble friend.

LORD CHORLEY

Is this not a legislative factory, my Lords?

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