§ Mr. Higginsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the draft guide to fire precautions in existing residential care premises will be published.
§ Mr. WhitelawMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I have today published a draft guide to fire precautions in existing residential care premises, which sets out basic standards for means of escape and related fire precautions in such premises. The draft guide, 171W which has been prepared in close consultation with the Department of Health and Social Security and the Welsh Office, does not seek to establish new standards for fire precautions in the premises concerned but is intended to enable local authorities and other bodies to plan future fire precautions on an informed basis, having regard to the resources available. Copies of the guide, which is being issued to fire authorities, local authorities and the health service, can be obtained on application from any of the departments which have been involved in its preparation.