§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he is satisfied with the present fire safety regulations in the new Liverpool Teaching Hospital;
(2) in connection with fire hazards, what liaison there has been between his Department, the hospital authorities and the contractors during the construction of the new Liverpool Teaching Hospital;
(3) if he will make a statement on the unsafe condition of the new Liverpool Teaching Hospital from the point of view of safety against fire, details of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Liverpool, Scotland Exchange.
§ Dr. SummerskillThere is concern, from the fire prevention aspect, about the safety of the podium roof of the building, the adequacy of the means of escape from the proposed ward block and related compartmentation in that block. The Home Office was not involved in the development until last year, when this concern was brought to notice by the fire authority, acting in an advisory capacity to the Mersey Regional Health Authority. A close liaison has since been developed between the health and fire authorities, the Department of Health and Social Security, the Home Office and the Fire Research Station, as a result of which tests are now proceeding with a view to establishing the nature of whatever remedial action may be required.