HL Deb 30 November 2000 vol 619 c171WA
Lord Howie of Troon

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What plans they have to implement Section 10 of the Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987, which amended Section 18 of the Fire Precautions Act 1971, so placing a duty upon fire authorities to carry out fire safety inspection of premises to which that Act applies; and whether they intend to provide guidance to fire authorities in pursuance of that duty until such time as a new Fire Safety Bill is introduced. [HL4830]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bassam of Brighton)

The Government have no plans to implement Section 10 of the Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987. The Fire Safety Advisory Board is developing proposals for the reform of fire safety legislation. It is our intention to pursue this by means of an order under the regulatory reform Bill which we hope to introduce as soon as parliamentary time allows. One of the issues under consideration is whether there should be a statutory duty on fire authorities to inspect premises and, if so, how far that duty should extend.