HC Deb 26 May 1972 vol 837 cc524-5W
Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long hotel and boarding house keepers were given to apply for registration under the Fire Precautions Act, subsequent to the passing of the requisite legislation.

Mr. Lane

Three months. The Fire Precautions (Hotels and Boarding Houses) Order, 1972—S.I. 1972, No. 238 —was laid before Parliament on 29th February, 1972. It comes into operation on 1st June, 1972; and by that date those concerned should have submitted their applications for fire certificates to the local fire authority.

Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of hotels and boarding houses have so far applied for registration under the Fire Precautions Act.

Mr. Lane

I regret that this information is not available.

Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further consultation he intends to have with chief fire officers concerning the implementation of the Fire Precautions Act.

Mr. Lane

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave yesterday to Questions by my hon. Friends the Members for Weston-super-Mare (Mr. Wiggin), Blackpool, South (Mr. Blaker), Beckenham (Mr. Goodhart) and Blackpool, North (Mr. Miscampbell).—[Vol. 837, c. 1605–7.]

Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied that the bodies representing the hotel and catering industry, with which his Department consulted about the Fire Precautions Act, have taken sufficient steps to notify those whom they represent about the Government's intentions to implement the Act; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Lane

I do not know what steps these private organisations took to consult or inform their members. But the Home Office has given ample publicity to the application of the Fire Precautions Act, 1971, to hotels and boarding houses.