§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to increase fire staffing to expedite inspection of hotels for fire regulations, in view of the fact that it will take many years at the present rate.
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§ Sir John Tilneyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied that fire authorities have sufficient manpower to ensure that hotels come up to the standard required by the Fire Precautions Act; and how long does he anticipate that it will take for all hotels to reach this standard.
§ Mr. LaneThe deployment of staff to enforce the Fire Precautions Act 1971 is a matter for fire authorities, but the Home Office has helped by training 2,086 fire service officers in fire prevention between April 1970 and March 1973, and will provide training for a further 956 officers during the 12 months ending on 31st March 1974. We have also issued guidance on the use of operational firemen on fire prevention duties, and we shall continue to urge fire authorities to ensure that all hotels and boarding-houses are brought up to standard as soon as possible, although conditions vary too widely from one area to another for me to say when this will be.
§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to ensure that assistance with loans is provided in meeting the requirements of fire regulations where the cost of providing fire escapes or other necessary alterations would otherwise mean the permanent closing of an hotel.
§ Mr. LaneIf hotel keepers are unable to meet in any other way the cost of the fire authority's requirements under the Fire Precautions Act 1971, they may apply for a loan to the local authority in whose area their premises are situated. Under the Fire Precautions (Loans) Order 1973 the local authority may make a loan at its discretion in respect of hotels offering accommodation for not more than 25 persons, whether guests or staff.
§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to bring holiday flats within the scope of the law for registration for the purposes of inspection regarding fire regulations.
§ Mr. LaneWhen a building is let in flats any of which are more than 20 feet above the ground the local authority is already empowered under the Public Health Acts to require adequate means278W of escape to be provided. I have at present no evidence to suggest that further controls are needed.