§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many small hotels and holiday establishments have not yet complied with the Fire Precautions Act 1971.
§ Mr. LaneIt is estimated that on 31st August 1973 about 30,000 hotels and boarding-houses had not applied for fire certificates. Separate figures for small establishments are not available.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he is satisfied that there are sufficient fire prevention officers available to inspect all premises which are in need of the hotel fire certificates; and if he will make a statement;
(2) in view of the prospective increase in the cost of holidays abroad and the resultant pressure on small hotels and holiday establishments for holidays at home, if he will consider ways and 441W means of enlarging the inspectorate of all these premises for hotel fire certificates before the 1974 holiday season.
§ Mr. LaneI would refer the right hon. Member to the reply which I gave to similar Questions by the hon. Members for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher), and Liverpool, Wavertree (Mr. John Tilney) on 18th October.—[Vol. 861, c.276–77.]
§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is prepared to declare an amnesty period for all those small hotels and holiday establishments which have not yet been able to comply with the Fire Precautions Act 1971 due to the shortage of fire precautions officers and which have not been able to obtain the assistance of the local fire authorities.
§ Mr. LaneThe offence in question arises from the failure of those concerned to apply to the fire authority for a fire certificate and not from any shortage of fire prevention staff. My right hon. Friend does not therefore consider that an amnesty would be appropriate. I take this further opportunity of urging all hotel keepers who have not already done so to apply for certificates without delay.