§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he plans any investigations of the implications of the fire in Clifford Hicks Tower, Oliver Close, Leyton, on 24 May for the structural integrity of high rise tower blocks; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GowThe Building Research Establishment (BRE) is carrying out a programme of investigations of buildings constructed using large panel systems, including the Wates system used at Clifford Hicks Tower. The programme includes investigation of the stability of such buildings under fire loads. The BRE has consulted the fire officers who attended the fire at Clifford Hicks Tower on 24 May. I am pleased to say that no-one was injured. The fire did not cause any severe heating of the concrete panels and the BRE sees no advantage in investigation of this particular incident.