§ Mr. Maxwell-Hyslopasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimated cost per year of the scheme whereby loans can be made to hotels and boarding-houses with up to 25 beds to enable them to meet the current fire regulations; what would be the estimated additional cost of extending this provision to an upper limit of 50 beds; and whether the Government will so extend the limit.
§ Dr. SummerskillWe understand that, during the financial year 1975–76, local authorities made loans totalling £69,301598W under the Fire Precautions (Loans) Act 1973 to meet the cost of fire precautions in hotels and boarding-houses providing sleeping accommodation for up to 25 persons. It is not possible to calculate the cost of any extension of the scheme, since the grant of such loans lies within the discretion of local authorities. Nor am I satisfied that there are grounds for extending it.