§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what has been the increase in prevention staff since the passing of the Fire Precautions Act 1971;
(2) what additional assistance he intends giving to fire authorities to ensure that hotels conform to the fire prevention requirements of the Fire Precautions Act 1971;
(3) if he is satisfied with the progress in covering hotels with the fire prevention measures of the Fire Precautions Act 1971.
§ Mr. Harry EwingAlthough my right hon. Friend would like to see faster progress, he is satisfied that fire authorities 379W are dealing with this work as quickly as possible. In present circumstances there is no possibility of increased resources being made available to the fire service as a whole but it is open to brigades to allocate additional effort to fire prevention if it can be spared from other work.
The number of qualified fire prevention officers in post in brigades has been as follows: 1971, 120; 1972, 138; 1973, 155; 1974, 151; 1975, 164.