§ Lord Killearnasked Her Majesty's Government:
In view of their answer to Lord Auckland on 12th March:
- (a) how many serious and fatal accidents resulting from fire have in their estimate been prevented or contained by the use of asbestos in the construction of high-rise buildings;
1465 - (b) how many such fires have been similarly prevented or contained in schools;
- (c) whether they have any information about the experience in this respect of other countries.
§ Lord SkelmersdaleMy right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Environment is unaware of any established link between the prevention of serious and fatal accidents from fire and the use of asbestos in the construction of high-rise buildings and schools.
In the United Kingdom we have stringent structural fire precautions in our building regulations which aim to ensure that the occupants of all buildings have sufficient time to escape in the event of a fire. There are special requirements for means of escape in high-rise buildings; there is no regulation requiring the use of asbestos.
Officials of the Department of the Environment keep in close touch with Home Office and the Fire Research Station about the causes and circumstances of serious and fatal fires. We regularly review our fire safety and fire precaution policies, and we promote research into new measures for life safety.