§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what parts of the Stormont buildings were maintained, redecorated or refurbished by his Department, over the past five years; and what was the cost to the Exchequer.
§ Mr. Moss[holding reply 16 January 1995]: The cost to the Exchequer of maintaining Parliament buildings over the last five years is as follows: 553W
1990–91 £ 1991–92 £ 1992–93 £ 1993–94 £ 1994–95 £ 85,073 63,184 71,240 81,092 74,017 The figure for 1994–95 represents expenditure incurred prior to the fire.
§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the Fire Precautions (Places of Work) Regulations 1993 have an equivalent in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Moss[Holding reply 16 January 1995]: I understand that the Fire Precautions (Places of Work) Regulations will come into effect in Great Britain in early 1995. A consultation paper incorporating proposals for equivalent Northern Ireland Regulations is expected to be issued by the end of February 1995.
§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what fire regulations are imposed on(a) the Stormont Parliament building and (b) Northern Irish stately homes and heritage buildings which are open to the public.
§ Mr. Moss[Holding reply 16 January 1995]: The inquiry by Sir Reginal Doyle into the fire at Parliament buildings on 2 January 1995 will consider the fire safety legislation which applies to Parliament buildings.
The majority of stately homes in Northern Ireland which are open to the public are in the care of the National Trust, which co-operates with the Fire Authority for Northern Ireland to ensure that the properties comply with the relevant legislation.
Listed buildings which form part of the Government Estate are subject to the Fire Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1984 as it applies to Crown property. Other listed buildings open to the public are required to have a fire certificate if they belong to a class of building so designated under the 1984 order.
§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what insurance against fire loss or damage exists in relation to the fabric of the Stormont buildings and the furnishings and artefacts therein.
§ Mr. Moss[holding reply 16 January 1995]: In line with Government policy that Departments do not normally insure commercially, there is no insurance against fire loss or damage in relation to the fabric and furnishings of Parliament buildings.
Some items of silverware, which were not damaged in the recent fire, were insured commercially.