§ Mr. Cockeramasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with regulations relating to the means of escape from flats in tall buildings, in the light of experience of fires in such buildings; and whether evidence relating to fires in foreign countries is available to him.
§ Mr. ChannonThe building regulations were amended last year to require means of escape to be provided for flats in new tall buildings. Section 60 of the Public Health Act 1936 already enabled local authorities to require means of escape to be provided for flats in existing tall buildings. We have no evidence that these controls are not adequate, but the question of fire safety is kept under constant review in the light of experience both at home and abroad.