Mr. Edward Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Scotland why the report of the Fire Research Centre regarding the risks associated with hardboard ceilings was not circulated to Scottish fire brigades; and if he will take steps to ensure that the conclusions of such research projects are brought to the attention of fire brigades in the future.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellThe research notes of the Fire Research Station are not circulated automatically to all fire brigades. Fire brigades normally keep in touch with the work of the station through technical journals in which this work is described or summarised. In the light of the jury's recommendation at the recent fatal accident inquiry into the fire at Kilbirnie Street, Glasgow, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and I are examining as a matter of urgency with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment how the arrangements for disseminating the results of such research could be improved.