HC Deb 10 November 1966 vol 735 cc337-8W
Mr. Edward Lyons

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the fact that fire losses in Great Britain now total about £85 million yearly and that insurance rates differentials offer little inducement to equip premises with modern fire-prevention equipment, he will introduce a new industrial fire code with monetary penalties for non-observance.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

While I do not altogether accept what my hon. Friend says about insurance rates and fire losses, the latter naturally give cause for concern. I am not satisfied, however, that an industrial fire code is necessary or practicable. Although primarily concerned with the protection of life, the fire protection provisions of existing legislation such as the Factories Act, 1961 and the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act, 1963 contribute materially to the protection of property; the fire service, on an increasing scale, advises managements on fire protection measures and arrangements have been made by my Department to co-ordinate the publicity, covering all aspects of fire safety, which is undertaken by central and local Government, insurance interests and other bodies.