§ Mr. Gryllsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he has made in introducing flexibility in the application of fire precautions to business premises presenting minimal risk.
§ Mr. Giles ShawWithin the scope of existing legislation, fire authorities already exercise discretion in the application of fire precautions to business premises presenting minimal risk, but arrangements are in hand to issue further guidance on this aspect and to reinforce it in training courses provided at the fire service college. The report of the scrutiny into burdens on business considered that flexibility could be increased with the introduction of a new statutory system of fire precautions control along the lines of proposals formulated within the machinery of the central fire brigades advisory councils. These proposals are designed to enable fire authorities to control fire precautions in a wider range of occupancies and to concentrate their attention on the premises presenting the greatest risk. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Home Secretary hope to publish a consultative document based on these proposals before the summer recess.