§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action has now been taken to give effect to the recommendations he approved after receiving the report of the inquiry into the fire at the Woolworth's store in Piccadilly, Manchester in May 1979; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BrittanThe principal recommendation made in the report of the sub-committee of the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council was 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. The preparation of such regulations depends in the first instance on further research to establish the criteria which should govern the application and content of the regulations. A programme of research for this purpose is being undertaken by the fire research station of the Department of the Environment. Other recommendations in the report relating to existing legislation and guides as to standards are still under consideration. A seminar was held by our Department on 23 September to bring the subcommittee's recommendations to the notice of the retail trade.