§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, as a result of the Summerland fire disaster in the Isle of Man, any specific lessons were learned about fire precautions which resulted in new regulations being made by fire authorities in England and Wales; and whether any advice is being given to such authorities by his Department.
§ Dr. SummerskillThe recommendations in the Summerland report relating to fire precautions have been considered by the Joint Fire Prevention Committee of the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Councils which have concluded that these recommendations do not indicate a need for further statutory requirements in this country but that guidance should be issued to local authorities on a number of matters: in particular, the need for authorities responsible for licensing places of public entertainment to consult the fire brigade. Action is being taken accordingly.
§ Mr. Anthony Grantasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of hotels liable to do so have registered under the Fire Precautions Act; and what steps he proposes to take regarding those that have failed so to register.
§ Dr. SummerskillI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Faversham (Mr. Moate) on 25th November. The enforcement of the Fire Precautions Act is a matter for the fire authorities, which are endeavouring to deal with failures to apply for a fire certificate.—[Vol. 882, c.56.]