§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects a suitable large-scale fire test for large insulated sandwich panels to be developed. [17281]
§ Mr. ClappisonI expect such a test, providing a harmonised European method, to be available in about two years. The International Standards Organisation is developing a still larger scale test, but I understand this may take three to five years to perfect.
§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to approve the removal of any fire safety legislation currently within local Acts of Parliament only where he is satisfied that there is equivalent national legislation affording the public the same degree of protection from fire. [17282]
§ Mr. ClappisonFire safety provision in local Acts will be repealed where these overlap or conflict with the provision of the building regulations.