§ Mr. Wallasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the approximate percentage of intensive livestock houses that comply with the British Standard specifications as far as fire hazards are concerned; and what further action he has taken in this respect.
§ Mr. StrangI regret that the information available does not enable a reliable estimate to be made. The Agriculture Departments make it a condition of grant aid for livestock buildings that the standards of fire precautions in the BSI code of practice for farm buildings, published in January of this year, are observed. The Departments have also asked the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Committee to review the whole question of fire precautions in farm buildings.
§ Mr. Wallasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what fire precaution requirements are mandatory for new buildings housing livestock; and how often they are inspected by the fire departments.
§ Mr. StrangBuildings housing livestock must comply with the statutory provisions for structural fire precautions set out in the Buildings Regulations 1976, which are enforceable by local authorities. 771W There are no statutory provisions requiring inspection of such premises by fire brigades.