§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to ensure that sprinklers are fitted as a fire precaution in historic buildings of national importance. [57185]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthIn line with the recommendations of Sir Alan Bailey's report "Fire Protection Measures for the Royal Palaces", an Historic Buildings Fire Research Co-ordinating Committee has been established, with a membership including my Department and major owners of historic properties, in order to gather and disseminate information on the full range of fire protection measures for historic buildings, including sprinklers. Decisions on whether or not they should be installed in any specific case need to be made as a part of each building's risk assessment.