§ Mr. CartwrightTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department is taking to bring fire safety standards in schools and colleges up to those required under the EC framework directive on the safety and health of workers at work; which organisations are to be consulted about the new draft regulations; when these are expected to come into force; and who will be responsible for enforcing them.
§ Mr. John PattenWe propose to implement the fire safety requirements of European Community directive 89/391/EEC on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work—known as the framework directive—and the related directive 89/654/EEC, known as the workplace directive, by making new regulations under section 12 of the Fire Precautions Act 1971. The new regulations will apply to places of work, including schools and colleges, to which the Fire Precautions Act applies. The regulations will come into force on 1 January 1993, and there will be a staged application in accordance with the directives.
The regulations are being drafted in consultation with other Government Departments, which will include the Department of Education and Science; and with representatives of local authorities' associations and other interested bodies.
In accordance with the directives, the regulations will place the primary responsibility for ensuring fire safety on employers. Regulations under the Fire Precautions Act are enforced by fire authorities and for crown premises by HM inspectorates of fire services. Detailed consideration is being given to how the regulations will be applied to places of work, including schools and colleges.
It is expected that a consultative document will be available in the spring for an extensive public consultation exercise.