§ Mr. MallonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will take steps to ensure that a comprehensive investigation into the safety performance of glass-fronted fires in public sector houses is carried out.
§ Mr. AtkinsThere are no grounds that I am aware of at present for such an investigation.
I am assured by the chief executive of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive that all new appliances are tested to an approved standard and existing appliances are inspected and maintained in a planned maintenance cycle.
§ Mr. MallonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what investigations have been carried out to investigate the safety of glass-fronted fires in public housing stock.
§ Mr. AtkinsThis is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, but I understand from the chief executive that, while there have been no specific investigations, the Housing Executive is satisfied with current measures in place to ensure the safe operation of these appliances.
§ Mr. MallonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many fires have occurred in each of the past five years in public sector houses; and in how many cases the causes were related to glass-fronted fires.
§ Mr. AtkinsThis is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, but I understand from the chief executive that while no records are held centrally of the number of fires in public sector houses, it is not aware of any where the causes were specifically related to glass-fronted room heaters.