§ 66. Mr. Tilneyasked the Minister of Public Building and Works what is his policy for reducing losses to the British economy by fire; and whether he will institute legislation to make fire precautions compulsory in all major new buildings.
§ Mr. C. PannellPresent building bye-laws, and the Building Regulations which I have recently made, which will come into force on 1st February, 1966, provide for substantial structural fire protection for all new buildings in the interests of public health and safety. These provisions will indirectly do much to reduce economic losses through fire. I would also refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department to the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Dodds-Parker) on 3rd December, 1964.
§ Mr. John Tilneyasked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he will state the cost of losses by fire in each of the last five years in all buildings owned by Her Majesty's Government and not insured, together with those owned by nationalised industries and uninsured; and what it would cost to cover all such buildings by insurance in the market.
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§ Mr. C. PannellThe figures requested are not all available, but for buildings owned by my Ministry and not insured the losses by fire in each of the last five years were as follows:
£ 1960 29,500 1961 15,000 1962 7,000 1963 14,500 1964 59,000 I cannot say what it would cost to insure these buildings, but I am satisfied that the cost would exceed the losses incurred.