COMMONS AMENDMENT (Hansard, 11 May 1987)

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 2.
This amendment was introduced by the Government on Report in another place in fulfilment of a commitment to consider a similar amendment tabled by the Opposition in Committee. The effect of the amendment is to extend the interim duty for an applicant for a fire certificate provided by Clause 8 of the Bill. That duty already requires the applicant to ensure that such means of escape with which the premises are provided can be safely and effectively used and that employees receive instruction or training in what to do in case of fire. This amendment provides that in addition any means for fighting fire with which the premises are provided must be maintained in efficient working order.
In keeping with the requirement for the means of escape, the applicant is not required to make further provision pending disposal of the application. That is because it is not possible to make detailed specification of the equipment which would be needed in many premises without an inspection by a fire authority. Such an inspection takes place prior to the issue of a notice of steps to be taken.
It would not be in the interests of reducing the time between application and certification if the fire authority was required to carry out some sort of interim inspection, having regard only to the means for fighting fire. Nevertheless, it is intended that the application form for a fire certificate will be revised to enable the fire authority to identify cases where the means for fighting fire might be seriously deficient. The fire authority would be able to give priority to such premises in deciding the order for dealing with applications. I commend the amendment to your Lordships.
Moved, That the House do agree with the Commons in the said amendment.—(The Earl of Caithness.)

§ Lord Mishcon
My Lords, here again we are reminded of discussions that took place in this House. I recollect with gratitude not only the views that were expressed from my own Front Bench but the support that we so often received from the noble Lord, Lord Brougham and Vaux. I should like to take this opportunity, in case I forget on another occasion, to thank him for his support.
This was in no way a political Bill. Both of us and all your Lordships were fighting, if I may put it this way, for the safety of sports places in the light of tragic incidents that brought forth the Popplewell Report, which your Lordships will remember. I am grateful to the Government.

§ Lord Brougham and Vaux
My Lords, perhaps I may respond, like the noble Lord, Lord Mishcon, and 484 thank Her Majesty's Government, my noble friend and the people in another place for the amendments that they have made to this Bill. They have made it an even better Bill than it was when it left your Lordships' House.