§ Mr. Sainsburyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has completed his consideration of the implications for future fire precautions legislation of the fire at a hostel in Salisbury Road, Kilburn, on 18 March; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WhitelawI have now completed my consideration, with other Ministers concerned, of the implications for future fire precautions legislation of this tragic fire. I can find no evidence that local authorities generally have experienced difficulty in understanding their statutory responsibilities as regards fire precautions in hostels or other types of house in multiple occupation. Nevertheless, it is clear that there is a degree of legislative overlap which is a potential source of uncertainty. I shall be discussing with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and other Ministers concerned how this situation might best be clarified. In the meantime, we propose to issue guidance to housing authorities and fire authorities to assist their understanding of the present law and of how it can best be administered in particular circumstances. We have also put in hand the preparation of a code of guidance setting out a national advisory standard for means of escape in houses in multiple occupation which should prove a useful aid to the consultation between housing authorities and fire authorities which is required by the Housing Acts.