62. Earl of Dalkeithasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of the serious fires in schools during the last three years have occurred in buildings with more than 50 per cent. timber frame construction: whether he is satisfied that suitable timber appropriately treated offers greater fire resistance than steel of equivalent strength; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Miss BaconThe information asked for in the first part of the Question is not available without considerable research. It is not practicable to deal with the complex technical issues raised on the second part of the Question within the limits of a Parliamentary Answer. I would add that I am satisfied that, if the recommendations made in my Department's Building Bulletin No. 7 are observed, there is no more danger from264W the use of timber in school buildings than any other material.