§ Mr. GaleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the standard of enforcement of fire safety regulations in former seaside guest houses and hotels now used as houses in multiple occupation and located in the Kent coastal towns. [20782]
§ Mr. Robert B. JonesI have been asked to reply.
Enforcement of standards for fire precautions and means of escape for houses in multiple occupation is the responsibility of the local housing authority. No particular study of the adequacy of enforcement of these powers in Kent has been made, but the Government are undertaking a more general review of HMO enforcement powers and hope to make an announcement shortly about their proposals for change.