HC Deb 26 March 1971 vol 814 cc234-5W
Mr. Tugendhat

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the Royal Albert Hall enjoys exemption from most of the Statutes empowering the Greater London Council to require suitable means of escape in case of fire, and that the maintenance of satisfactory means of escape can be enforced only when the premises are used for entertainments requiring approval under the Cinematograph Acts, 1909 and 1952, or the Theatres Act, 1968, and whether he is satisfied that the public attending the Royal Albert Hall on other occasions is adequately safeguarded in case of fire; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Sharples

Although the Royal Albert Hall is exempt from many of the statutory controls normally applicable to places of public entertainment, good liaison exists between the management and the London Fire Brigade and my right hon. Friend has no reason to believe that the present fire safety arrangements do not fulfil their purpose. The provisions of the Fire Precautions Bill at present before Parliament will be enforceable there by the Greater London Council as in all other places of public entertainment in London.