§ Mr. Frank Fieldasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fires have taken place at Hendon police college during the past 12 months, and if he will give details of the extent of the damage.
§ Mr. HurdThe Commissoner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that there have been two fires at Hendon police college in the last 12 months. The first occured on 7 October 1983 when a control panel in the cadet laundry room overheated causing damage to the contactor and wiring. The second occured on 28 October 1983 when a bitumen boiler being used by contractors re-roofing the podium building boiled over, setting fire to the roof and surrounding structure. The fire caused severe damage to a plant room containing mechanical, ventilation and electrical services, and to the structure of the senior officers' dining room. The cadets' dining room suffered 40 per cent. damage, and other dining areas and the kitchen were damaged by smoke.