§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy on smoke detectors in homes. [14317]
§ Mr. SackvilleOur policy is to ensure that people are aware of the potentially life saving benefits of smoke alarms and to encourage them to install smoke alarms in their homes and to maintain and test them regularly. Our efforts, and those of fire brigades, have been very successful. Ownership has increased from 9 per cent. in 1987 to its present figure of 74 per cent. of all households.