HL Deb 25 June 1997 vol 580 cc172-3WA
Lord Cochrane

of Cults asked Her Majesty's Government:

What reduction in accidents and fatalities they expect to result from the introduction of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1996 divided between (a) houses in multiple occupation and (b) other let accommodation.

Baroness Hayman

This Government take gas safety very seriously and are committed to ensuring that landlords take responsibility for their tenants' safety. It is too early to make a valid assessment about what impact the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1996 will have on reducing incidents and fatalities from gas-related carbon monoxide poisoning as they only came into force on 31 October 1996. However, we hope that the amendment will lead to greater compliance by landlords and thus reducing the number of incidents and fatalities.