HC Deb 18 March 1981 vol 1 c121W
Dr. Roger Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in view of the high percentage of fires in dwellings started by smokers' materials and matches, particularly involving the elderly, if he will provide extra funds to the local social services so that a better system of surveillance of the elderly can be organised and instituted.

Sir George Young

Fire precautions in private dwellings are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department, who has it in mind to invite chief fire officers in England and Wales to consider establishing, within existing resources and in consultation with social services departments and other interests, schemes under which elderly people would receive fire prevention advice in their homes.