§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has yet had an opportunity to study the report of the sub-committee of the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Councils for England and Wales and for Scotland on the fire at Woolworth's store in Piccadilly, Manchester, on 8 May 1979; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WhitelawI have now considered the report of the sub-committee of the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Councils for England and Wales and for Scotland on the fire at Woolworth's, Piccadilly, Manchester on 8 May 1979, in which 10 people lost their lives. Copies of the report, which is to be printed and published, have been placed in the Library.
I concur in the sub-committee's recommendations and will take the necessary steps to give effect to them. In particular, I agree that suitable regulations should be made under section 12 of the Fire Precautions Act 1971 to control the display in shops and department stores of polyurethane foam-filled furniture, and have authorised the necessary research to be put in hand to devise the details of such control. Other amendments to existing legislation and guides as to standards will be prepared. Arrangements are being made to bring the recommendations to the notice of fire authorities and the retail trade.
Having regard to the depth of the coroner's inquest and the scope of the sub-committee's comprehensive report, I consider that no useful purpose would now be served by any further formal inquiry into this fire.