§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the advantages of making the installation of smoke alarms compulsory in local authority homes in Wales. [35583]
§ Mr. Win GriffithsI believe the installation of smoke alarms in houses can be a major factor in reducing the risk of death or injury from fire. All local authorities in Wales are committed to fitting smoke alarms in all their housing stock. To date, 18 authorities have achieved this fully.
Of the remainder, two expect to complete by the end of the 1998–99 financial year; one by the end of 200–01; and one has a policy of installing smoke alarms during refurbishment works.