HC Deb 09 February 1982 vol 17 c305W
Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing over each of the past three years the number of fires in hospitals within the National Health Service; how many deaths occurred in each case; and what were the causes of the fire in each incident.

Mr. Mayhew

The number of fires in hospitals which were attended by local authority fire brigades, the number of deaths from such fires and the source of ignition of such fires are published annually in "Fire statistics United Kingdom", copies of which are in the Library of the House—tables 23 and 39 of the latest issue for 1979. The issue for 1980 is expected to be published later this month. Figures are not available separately for National Health Service hospitals. Information on individual fires could be made available only at disproportionate cost.